The lack of access to proper nutrition is not only fueling obesity, it is leading to food insecurity and hunger among our children.

The Obama administration will continue to fight for a comprehensive immigration solution that includes AgJobs and a stable workforce for our farms.

Hillary Clinton was in rural America during the Iowa caucuses, but I think the nature of a campaign makes it more difficult once you become the candidate. There's a messaging opportunity here throughout, not just in the election season, but before the election, the opportunity to underscore what government is doing in a positive way in partnership with rural folks. I think it's a messaging issue. It's being there physically, talking to folks, listening to people, respecting and admiring what they do, and then making sure that they understand precisely what the partnership is.

To help producers serve larger institutional customers like schools and hospitals, USDA has helped fund new regional infrastructure like cold storage warehouses, commercial kitchens and local slaughter facilities.

Many young and beginning farmers start out in local markets. Some stay there, and some scale up.

People working together in a strong community with a shared goal and a common purpose can make the impossible possible.

The future of healthcare security should include flexibility from the federal government to allow us to serve the state's most vulnerable citizens.