Washington, D.C. Dec. 11, 2020. As the American Soybean Association (ASA) brings on a new slate of soy growers today to oversee the organization in 2021, it applauds news of Tom Vilsack’s nomination to lead the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

ASA’s farmer-leaders would like to welcome back the former two-term Iowa governor who served as Secretary of Agriculture for eight years during the Obama Administration.

“We are thrilled to hear that such a qualified candidate with a solid track record supporting policy and regulatory decisions important to soybean growers is on deck to lead USDA in 2021,” incoming ASA President Kevin Scott said. “Vilsack, who is from a large soybean-producing state, brings significant experience, having led USDA effectively in the past, and will hit the ground running upon his return.”

Scott also pointed to Vilsack’s agriculture knowledge and emphasized his history of advocating for biodiesel and biotechnology, among other soybean farmer concerns.

“In his years as USDA secretary under the Obama Administration, Vilsack was a staunch supporter for renewable fuel initiatives, biotechnology advances, fair trade agreements and preserving the farm safety net,” Scott said. “U.S. soy growers would welcome his support and the opportunity to work with him again.”

ASA, along with other agriculture groups, urges the U.S. Senate to swiftly confirm Vilsack’s nomination when officially submitted in January and is appreciative of its long history working with USDA.