WASHINGTON –Tom Vilsack, secretary of the US Department of Agriculture, announced on Jan. 14 he intends to continue his service in the Obama Administration.

“President Obama and I share a deep appreciation for rural America and its unlimited potential in the years ahead to feed a growing world population, revolutionize America’s energy, further protect our natural resources and create more jobs here at home,” Vilsack said. “We will continue to urge Congress to pass a Food, Farm and Jobs Bill that will help us continue USDA’s wide range of efforts to support this work.

“As we look ahead to a promising future in our small towns and rural communities, I am pleased to continue working alongside President Obama to grow more opportunity in rural America,” he concluded.

Vilsack, who served as the 40th governor of Iowa, was selected to be the US Secretary of Agriculture under Barack Obama’s administration on Dec.17, 2008. On Jan. 20, 2009, his nomination was confirmed by US Senate by unanimous consent.