January 31, 2016 KidUnity met with United States’s 30th Secretary of Agriculture and Iowa’s 40th Governor, Tom Vilsack.

“Stay involved, dream big, and never give up.” shared Secretary Vilsack towards the end of the interview with KidUnity. KidUnity asked questions to both Governor Vilsack and his wife, Christie Vilsack.

Governor Vilsack believes that the US needs more rural communities, there need to be more small businesses, and that GMO’s are the base of US’s agricultural economy. While Vilsack was governor, those were the strongest six years of agricultural trading. The trading increased 180% since 2006.

Secretary Vilsack also thinks that conserving natural resources is a must. Resources is a long-term strength of the US’s economy. He has made over 500 investments into food companies.

Along with his wife, Vilsack is helping to improve school meals to make them healthier. He has also paired up with First Lady, Michelle Obama’s, Let’s Move campaign.

Vilsack likes a balance between GMO’s and Organic. Genetically Modified foods have been around for 3,000 years and are a big part of the economy. Genetic Modification is going to help when the climate is not going to. Genetically Modified foods have increased 170% since the 1950’s.

Meeting Governor Vilsack and Ms. Vilsack was an amazing experience that none of us will forget.