Former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack Comes To DelVal

Former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack was in Doylestown on Oct. 5 to receive Delaware Valley University’s inaugural Krauskopf Medal. Vilsack, now the president and CEO of the U.S. Dairy Export Council, participated in a meet and greet in the University’s library.

Prior to being awarded, Vilsack met with DelVal students on campus.

He talked with students about international issues in agriculture, the decline in the number of American farmers, the future of agriculture and what it was like finding out he would be a member of former President Barack Obama’s Cabinet, according to information form Delaware Valley University.

Vilsack gave students advice on getting USDA jobs. He suggested that students intern, reach out to elected officials for assistance obtaining work experience, and work their way up from local or regional offices.
Vilsack also told students about the process he went through to become the secretary of agriculture.

“Here’s the lesson for all of you who want to be Cabinet secretaries,” Vilsack joked. “You don’t want to be the first person mentioned; you want to be the last person mentioned.”

The Krauskopf Medal is named for DelVal’s founder.

Vilsack was nominated for the award by Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding. To be chosen for the Krauskopf Medal, individuals or organizations must make outstanding contributions in at least one of the following areas: agriculture and food systems, human and civil rights, social justice, child labor, conservation and sustainability, poverty, educational and employment equity, and quality of life issues.

PHOTO: Submitted by DelVal