Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack rang in the New Year with budget issues weighing heavily on his mind.
 
Vilsack revealed in a year-end interview that he’ll be making a series of announcements early in 2012 that will detail how USDA plans to operate within budget constraints mandated by Congress.
 
[audio:vilsack1.mp3]A Word From Vilsack[/audio] 
 
    Vilsack suggested the impending changes will alter the size, structure and scope of USDA for decades to come.
 
[audio:vilsack2.mp3]A Word From Vilsack[/audio]
 
USDA’s discretionary funding has been cut by 15-percent since fiscal 2009. Vilsack said he's working to ensure that USDA manages the change needed to fit within the new budget reality - not the other way around.