This is an exciting time for farmers and ranchers of all types and sizes as agriculture is a bright spot in the American economy. In 2011, agricultural exports hit a record high and producers saw their best incomes in nearly 40 years.

If we are to transition to a new economy and to lead it, we must start by transforming our schools.

The food pyramid is very complicated. It doesn't give you as much info in a quick glance as the plate does.

I think President Barack Obama is going to be treated very, very well by history in terms of his ability to save the economy. And that's certainly true in rural areas. The unemployment rate is substantially reduced, the poverty rate is down, and in large part because of the investments that were made during the Recovery Act and thereafter, historic investments.

There is more potential for economic growth in rural America than at any time in decades.

Strong communities ... embrace change. New discoveries require us to think differently and approach things differently, to think anew.

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.