2017 Gala Honoree &
Vanguard Award Recipient

THE HONORABLE TOM VILSACK

30^th U.S. SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE

This year, our Board has selected former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack as the Vanguard award recipient, recognizing his "exceptional courage, compassion and leadership in the service of youth." In selecting Bill McDermott, CEO of SAP, as our inaugural honoree, and now Secretary Vilsack, we have not only matched outstanding leaders with impeccable records of service, but leaders who have tirelessly advocated for the vital importance that public private partnerships play in society, business and communities across the nation.

EMBODYING AMERICAN VALUES

Born in a foundling home in Pittsburgh and adopted at birth, Tom Vilsack grew up to attend New York state’s Hamilton College, receive a law degree from Albany Law School, and make his legal career in Iowa. From modest political beginnings as Mayor of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, he rose to the Iowa Senate, then to the Governorship of Iowa, and then became the 30th United States Secretary of Agriculture, appointed by President Barack Obama. Recently named CEO of the U.S. Dairy Export Council, Tom Vilsack has spent his career in public service as a tireless advocate for farmers, for American agriculture, and for the wholesome food products that, along with physical activity, are the basis of our youth’s health and success.

AS SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE

In addition to overseeing the resurgence of rural America, encouraging the thriving of local-regional food systems, and facilitating the strongest agricultural exports in U.S. history, during his tenure as Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack:

• Legislated to improve the health of America’s kids. Under Secretary Vilsack, USDA partnered with First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! initiative alongside GENYOUth to improve the health of America’s children. Secretary Vilsack helped pass and implement the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act to help combat child hunger and obesity by making the most significant improvements to U.S. school meals in 30 years.
   
  
• Supported healthy schools on multiple levels. Over 50 million children now have a healthier food environment at school. Kids are eating up to 16% more vegetables and 23% more fruit at lunch.
   
  
• Expanded access to under-served students. Schools and districts with high poverty rates can now provide free breakfast and lunch to all students. To date, more than 17,000 schools (60% of eligible schools) in nearly 3,000 district are participating, reaching more than 8.1 million students.
   
  
• Expanded summer meals. Since 2009, USDA and its partners (Fuel Up to Play 60 included) have served more than 1.2 billion summer meals to low-income children when healthy school meals are not available.
   
  
• Formalized Farm-to-School. The USDA’s Farm-to-School Program was formally established on Secretary Vilsack’s watch.