Interview Only w/ Tom Vilsack - Trump Screwed The Ag States… Can Democrats Win Them Back?

Former Agriculture Secretary and two-term Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack — the longest-serving USDA secretary of the modern era, now CEO of the World Food Prize Foundation — joins the Chuck ToddCast to explain what's actually happening in farm country. The Iran war has driven up input costs while deportations gut the labor supply, farmers get blamed for high prices despite capturing the smallest share of every agricultural dollar, and importing beef only discourages domestic ranchers from staying in business. Vilsack notes America has lost a million farming operations since 1973, with most federal support flowing to the top 10%. He argues food security is national security, that SNAP cuts are income cuts for farmers, and that Iowans are tired enough of watching their kids leave the state to vote for change — with Rob Sand's authenticity, not his party label, the reason he's connecting.  Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Tom Vilsack joins The Chuck ToddCast 02:00 Pirates baseball and why national media misses agriculture 05:45 The Iran war, input costs, and a deported labor force 10:00 What can actually lower beef prices 16:00 A million lost farms and who federal support really reaches 22:00 Food security is national security 29:45 SNAP cuts, rural schools, and the Senate map in the Midwest 36:00 Rob Sand, authenticity, and why Iowa may vote for change 45:00 Should 2028 Democrats spend time in Iowa? 52:45 Data centers, a bio-based farm economy, and what a good night looks likeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.