What Republicans have done in my view is that they are systematically dismantling a sense of community in America.

People don't understand rural America. Sixteen percent of our population is rural, but 40 percent of our military is rural. I don't believe that's because of a lack of opportunity in rural America. I believe that's because if you grow up in rural America, you know you can't just keep taking from the land. You've got to give something back.

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

We have a long tradition in this state of caring for our neighbors - it is truly an Iowa value.

At President Obama's direction, the U.S Department of Agriculture is working hard to unleash the power of America's innovators and entrepreneurs to build a green energy economy.

President Obama has expressed his commitment to responsible stewardship of our land, water, and other natural resources. And one way of restoring the land to its natural condition is what we are doing here today - breaking pavement for the People's Garden.

And sometimes people don't realize that 90 percent of the persistent poverty counties are located in rural America.