We’ve always thought that outgoing Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack was the rare presidential appointee who put the interests of his agency’s constituents first and foremost.

During his eight-year tenure as USDA boss under then-President Barack Obama, and the last four under Joe Biden, Vilsack was the voice of agriculture for the administrations. In administrations that often proffered policies that were hostile to the interests of agriculture, Vilsack was an advocate for the industry.

Before joining the Obama administration, Vilsack served eight years as governor of Iowa. That’s a largely rural state where farming and food processing make up more than 10% of the economy and one-in-six jobs.

He remained an advocate for corn-based ethanol, production agriculture and the beef industry, much to the chagrin of many leftwing advocates.

The ag secretary is of obvious importance to the industry, responsible for food policy, ag research, market regulation, nutrition programs and the farm safety net. The ag secretary doesn’t control trade policy, doesn’t set the agenda on climate change and doesn’t manage labor regulators. Nonetheless, Vilsack had a seat at the table where those things are decided.

After his first tenure at USDA ended, Vilsack was involved in an effort to move the Democrat Party to the center to appeal to the concerns of rural voters. That turned out to be a quixotic campaign as the party swung to the far left in the era of the Green New Deal, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Bernie Sanders. But, the effort was noteworthy in that it focused on practical, dinner table issues.

Vilsack was unfairly tagged in some circles as the bagman for “Big Ag” and “corporate” farmers.

We think he had a big tent perspective, and that he took every opportunity to promote small and medium-sized farming operations. At the same time, he understood that the vast majority of America’s food and fiber are produced by full-time producers on larger acreages.

Vilsack led the department with honor. We wish him well on his return to private life.