On Feb. 23, Tom Vilsack was confirmed as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, again.
In 2011, I helped write an op-ed called “What a good president would do — that would really help family farmers.” It stemmed from President Obama’s and then-Secretary Vilsack’s unsuccessful attempt to level the playing field and increase competition in agriculture. We argued that this failure not only resulted in increased corporate control of our commodity markets and food system, but also led to a loss of hope in the “democratic process” for rural Missourians and rural Americans.
Well, now, President Biden, it’s your turn. We need a good president, and there’s a lot at risk.