Washington, DC - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today issued the following statement in advance of the first anniversary of the 2014 Farm Bill, which was signed into law by President Obama on February 7, 2014:

"Every American, and many around the world, has been positively impacted by the 2014 Farm Bill. The Farm Bill achieves meaningful reform while making critical investments that create jobs, drive long-term economic growth, and support more resilient rural communities where people want to live and raise families.

"Thanks to the Farm Bill, farmers have a common-sense risk management system in place to protect their families and livelihoods from future disasters. It's helped families become first time home buyers. It's supported rural businesses as they grow and create jobs. Communities have clean drinking water, some for the first time. Farm Bill disaster assistance programs have helped to rebuild lives.

"I am proud to stand alongside the thousands of USDA employees who have worked hard to implement the bulk of the Farm Bill's programs in record time."

USDA's Farm Bill Implementation by the Numbers Factsheet (pdf)