Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack was interrupted by applause several times during his address at the 2012 Commodity Classic in Nashville Friday as he hit the right notes for corn, soybean, wheat and sorghum producers.

Someone in the crowd shouted “Amen” when Vilsack said, “This country also needs a new generation of farmers,” noting that something needs to be done about the estate tax, but also that there are barriers to people transferring land while they are still alive due to increasing land values.

Vilsack also got applause when he said, “As Congress works on this farm bill, the country needs them to have the political courage and spine to work on immigration reform and get that done and get it done now.”

When it comes to passing a farm bill, Vilsack said even though Congress thinks it’s a tough time to do it, “that’s not what America does. We don’t make excuses, we solve problems and we expect our leaders to do that.”

Before heading back to Washington for a White House conservation conference, Vilsack also announced the opportunity for producers to enroll a total of 1 million acres of land in a new Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) initiative to preserve grasslands and wetlands.

Vilsack will highlight the announcement later today at the Interior Department during the White House Growing America’s Outdoor Heritage and Economy conference, which emphasizes the link between conservation and strong local economies through tourism, outdoor recreation, and healthy lands, waters and wildlife.

Listen to or download Visack’s address here: Secretary Tom Vilsack at Commodity Classic

2012 Commodity Classic Photo Album