The media and the Twitterverse spread the news quickly Wednesday that Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton is considering Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack as her running mate, but the buzz about that potential has been around for almost a year in the ag world.

Last August, Vilsack introduced Secretary Clinton at an Iowa campaign event where she discussed agricultural issues with a John Deere tractor as a backdrop.

“This is a woman who will listen to us, who will fight for us,” said Vilsack introducing Mrs. Clinton at the event. “I and my wife will always remain loyal to our friend Hillary Clinton.”

Vilsack has pretty good credentials to be a heartbeat away from the presidency. He actually started to run for president in the 2008 election, announcing his candidacy early but dropping out within three months. He was a two-term governor in Iowa, is the only original member of Obama’s cabinet, and is the longest-serving agriculture secretary in modern history. Vilsack has traveled around the world working on trade and policy issues and is a strong supporter of the Trans Pacific Partnership.

Secretary Vilsack has also become a close ally of nearly every agricultural group in the country, attending what is certainly a record number of commodity group annual meetings over the past seven and a half years. If Vilsack is selected, he will have to resign as agriculture secretary.

Clinton has reportedly narrowed her VP choice to Vilsack, Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, and Labor Secretary Tom Perez. The announcement is expected from the campaign this weekend.