Showing genuine excitement for his new role as the president and CEO of the U.S. Dairy Export Council, former USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack shared rather candid comments at a recent industry gathering.

“I learned as a small-town lawyer that farmers work hard,” said Vilsack, who went on to get elected to the Iowa Senate. “Dairy farmers may work the hardest of all,” said the man who eventually transitioned from Iowa’s Senate on to the state’s governor.

“You could do anything,” commented Michael Dykes, the International Dairy Foods Association’s new president and CEO, while interviewing the former USDA Secretary. “Why join dairy?” Dykes went on to ask Vilsack at the International Dairy Foods Association’s Dairy Forum held in Orlando, Fla.

“The U.S. Dairy Export Council is an extension of loving the people you work for,” Vilsack quickly responded in direct reference to his just-completed, eight-year tenure as USDA Secretary. “It gives me a chance to continue my work in advocacy for farmers and agriculture.

“Dairy is challenged,” he went on to say. “Dairy has to punch above its weight,” in making reference to a boxing term, or simply working harder than the competition.

“There are 1 million beef farmers who carry a great deal of political clout, and there are only 43,000 dairy farms,” Vilsack went on to explain.

“Even so, I come here incredibly optimistic despite the challenges. That’s because I believe in our products,” Vilsack said. He also made direct mention of dairy’s considerable inroads on growing exports from 3 to 15 percent over the past decade. In addition, Vilsack noted dairy has been a leader in green, renewable energy along with sustainability efforts. All impressed him during his tenure as USDA Secretary.

What will be Vilsack’s goals in his new role?

1. Securing market access for dairy products

2. Increasing demand for dairy products