The rise of childhood obesity has placed the health of an entire generation at risk. Tom Vilsack More Quotes by Tom Vilsack More Quotes From Tom Vilsack We have a long tradition in this state of caring for our neighbors - it is truly an Iowa value. Tom Vilsack iowa caring long There are children with dreams counting on us. Tom Vilsack counting dream children Strong communities ... embrace change. New discoveries require us to think differently and approach things differently, to think anew. Tom Vilsack strong change thinking The lack of access to proper nutrition is not only fueling obesity, it is leading to food insecurity and hunger among our children. Tom Vilsack nutrition insecurity children There is more potential for economic growth in rural America than at any time in decades. Tom Vilsack economic growth america The Obama administration will continue to fight for a comprehensive immigration solution that includes AgJobs and a stable workforce for our farms. Tom Vilsack administration immigration fighting The food pyramid is very complicated. It doesn't give you as much info in a quick glance as the plate does. Tom Vilsack pyramids doe giving Every political race I've started, I've entered as an underdog and a long shot. This is certainly no exception. But I happen to be the best person for this job. Democrats need someone who can win. And there are two strategies for winning: You can energize the base, which is the strategy the party has used in the last couple of elections...unfortunately without success.Or you can energize and expand the base and bring the campaign to states where we've not had much success particularly in the heartland. Tom Vilsack party couple heart At President Obama's direction, the U.S Department of Agriculture is working hard to unleash the power of America's innovators and entrepreneurs to build a green energy economy. Tom Vilsack agriculture work america President Obama's fight for rural America is personal. He was raised by a single mom and grandparents from Kansas. He hails from a farming state, Illinois. Tom Vilsack kansas fighting mom I grew up in a city. My parents would think there was something wrong with America if they knew I was secretary of agriculture. Tom Vilsack agriculture cities thinking I think, certainly, Barack Obama has created an opportunity for America to understand that diversity is a blessing, diversity is a strength. It isn't necessarily something to be concerned about. And I think, at the end of the day, we're going to learn that this country operates best when it celebrates and surrounds itself and appreciates diversity, and doesn't shun it. Tom Vilsack blessing opportunity country I think we all share the same goal, which is a United States of America that inspires people and leads. Tom Vilsack goal america thinking In 2011, agricultural exports hit a record high and producers saw their best incomes in nearly 40 years. Tom Vilsack saws records years Local and regional food systems are about opportunity. Tom Vilsack locals opportunity I think President Barack Obama is going to be treated very, very well by history in terms of his ability to save the economy. And that's certainly true in rural areas. The unemployment rate is substantially reduced, the poverty rate is down, and in large part because of the investments that were made during the Recovery Act and thereafter, historic investments. Tom Vilsack recovery president thinking Many young and beginning farmers start out in local markets. Some stay there, and some scale up. Tom Vilsack farmers scales young And sometimes people don't realize that 90 percent of the persistent poverty counties are located in rural America. Tom Vilsack poverty america people Quality, affordable housing is a key element of a strong and secure Iowa. Tom Vilsack iowa strong keys I think people have to remember where we were in 2009. We were losing 800,000 jobs a month. We had an unemployment rate in double digits. We had poverty rates soaring. We had kids who were food insecure. Today in 2016, we have a lot less unemployment, a lot less poverty, and a lot fewer kids who are food insecure. Tom Vilsack insecure kids thinking