Youth News
Vilsack Commends FFA for Embracing Global Challenges
Thu, 30 Oct 2014 20:18:26 CDT
US Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack expressed his excitement for the future of agriculture. Vilsack addressed a full house of over 12,000 in Freedom Hall at the 2014 National FFA Convention in Louisville Thursday morning. In his speech he commended FFA for their advocacy in getting the 2014 Farm Bill passed and their enthusiasm to take on global issues from hunger to climate change and developing the next generation of ag producers who will feed consumers around the world in the years to come.
"It's going to be important and necessary that you embrace this challenge," Vilsack said. "The world is depending on the United States and the United States is depending upon you to help us figure how we are going to continue meet the needs of a growing world population under this most difficult set of circumstances."
Radio Oklahoma Network Farm Director Ron Hays is covering then 2014 National FFA Convention. You can listen to Secretary Vilsack's speech by clicking on the LISTEN BAR below.
Vilsack challenged FFA members to continue working with enthusiasm and energy to support and celebrate agriculture. He encouraged FFA youth to influence their friends and neighbors how each one of has the ability to choose whatever path in life because most have delegated the responsibility of feeding our families to the American farmer.
"It's created this great freedom for us to choose occupations and jobs beyond agriculture, but we can't do that without extraordinarily productive farmers and we need to support those who farm, those that support our families," Vilsack said.
As Americans go to grocery stores, they leave with more money in their pocket than any place in the world in having access to the safest, most abundant and least expensive food in the world. Vilsack said this allows American consumers to spend more money on other items and that is central to the nation's economy. Vilsack also commended the youth, especially those in rural areas for their service in the nation's military.
"Whether its freedom of opportunity, more money in our pockets or brave young men and women willing to serve us and protect us, it all starts with American agriculture and it all must continue with you the future of American agriculture," Vilsack said.
Coverage of the 2014 National FFA Convention and Expo can be seen and heard on the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network, OklahomaFarmReport.Com, our Daily Farm and Ranch News Email, Twitter via our Ron_on_RON feed, Facebook , FLICKR and on our Oklahoma Farm Report App- available for Apple and Andrioid Devices.
Our exclusive coverage from Louisville is a service of the Oklahoma FFA Association, the Oklahoma FFA Alumni Association and your Oklahoma Ford Dealers. For more information about this youth organization, click here. FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.
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