Farm groups are congratulating former Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack for his nomination to lead the USDA. “The positive of that is Vilsack probably knows the department as well as anyone,” said Rob Larew, president, National Farmers Union. “It brings a tremendous wealth of experience.” American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall said Vilsack “believes in a ‘big tent’ philosophy that supports all types of production.” National Cattlemen’s Beef Association CEO Colin Woodall said Vilsack has the ability to hit the ground running “and cattle producers are thankful for this continuity.”
