U.S. Department of Agriculture secretary Tom Vilsack will stay through President Barack Obama’s second term, according to the Independent Bakers Association, Washington, D.C. While several positions are being reshuffled in the Obama administration, Vilsack will continue his commitment to the agriculture industry and, specifically, a five-year farm bill.

Vilsack stated that his greatest disappointment of the last four years is that Congress did not produce a five-year farm bill. He vowed to concentrate increased efforts to help Congress pass a five-year bill that will support farmers and the economy.

Vilsack is also encouraging members of the agriculture industry to support immigration reform. Immigration legislation will undoubtedly impact agriculture, and he stressed the importance of farmers engaging the issue.

Vilsack added that close relationships with other political leaders, like Environmental Protection Agency administrator Lisa Jackson and U.S. Chamber of Commerce president Tom Donahue, offer the agriculture industry valuable camaraderie. Connecting with leaders of immigration reform can help produce legislation with the interests of agriculture in mind.