Former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack, who served as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture in the Obama administration and currently leads the U.S. Dairy Export Council, has been selected to return to his USDA leadership role by President-elect Joe Biden. Prior experience with federal-level farm policy was a major reason for his selection. During his first stint as ag secretary, Vilsack shifted some of USDA’s focus to rural development and nutrition programs. Though his appointment has rankled some sectors of the industry, Vilsack has bipartisan support by farm-state lawmakers like Iowa Senator Charles Grassley. Vilsack’s selection comes after Ohio Representative Marcia Fudge — previously the frontrunner for the USDA post — was selected to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development. See more about the Vilsack appointment.