One of my great joys in life is being a pilot. There is a great sense of freedom in soaring through the sky. You get a different perspective up there. Seeing things that aren't so apparent from the ground.

The goal of any farmer, after producing enough to feed his own family, has always been to find the best place to sell the year's crop.

Floods, droughts, and natural disasters are a fact of life for farmers, ranchers, and foresters. They have persevered in the past, and they will adapt in the future - with the assistance of the scientists and experts at USDA.

My philosophy of leadership is to surround myself with good people who have ability, judgment and knowledge, but above all, a passion for service.