The Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture and Versant Strategies (thanks to MeeCee Baker for her company’s tremendous support of the event) combined forces on Tuesday, July 26, to host a reception for US Sec. of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and Pennsylvania Sec. of Agriculture Russell Redding, at the Union League of Philadelphia. Also in attendance at this special evening were the Secretary of State for Pennsylvania, Pedro A. Cortés, and the Sec. of Agriculture for the State of Vermont, Chuck Ross.
The Society’s executive committee members in attendance and others with Versant Strategies were impressed with the presentations by the Pennsylvania Secretary of State, Secretary Russell Redding, and Secretary Tom Vilsack. They shared very personally their views on agriculture, its importance to the United States, the world and going forward in the future of our country.
The Society’s reception was followed by a major event, American Leaders in Agriculture, held in the Lincoln ballroom of the Union League. There we heard impassioned speeches by both Redding and Vilsack. Secretary Vilsack struck a serious tone and highlighted why the current election for president was so crucial.
A gallery of photographs from the evening follows.
- Our guests were pleased with the speeches
- Sec. Vilsack charmed the crowd with his “story.”
- Quite a spread!
- MeeCee Baker and the Secretary of State
- Sec. Vilsack meeting new friends
- PA Secretary of State, PEDRO A. CORTÉS
- President Hicks and Vilsack listening
- Redding inspired the group
- Bill Mifflin and our PSPA president and wife, Pam
- President Hicks and the Secretary share a thought
- Bill Mifflin and Sally listen intently
- Guests at the reception
- Secretary and Mrs. Vilsack
- Sec. Vilsack is a good listener
- Sec. Vilsack and wife, Christie
- Secretary and Mrs. Vilsack
- Vermont Ag Secretary, Chuck Ross and Dr. Mark Myers
- The Vilsacks and Michelle Wales – family connections
- Lisa Hodaei sharing with Secretary Redding
- Sec. and Mrs. Vilsack meeting PSPA and guests
- Dynamic speaker
- The group
- Vilsack and Redding share a moment
- The Secretaries
- Keving and Pam Hicks listen intently
- Sec. Redding
- Lisa and Michelle listening to Sec. Vilsack
- Bill Mifflin and his wife, greet Kevin Hicks
- Two great speakers!
- Chance to speak with Sec. Redding
- Vilsack promoted the importance of agriculture to our future
- Mrs. Vilsack, the two Secretaries
- Sec. Redding outlines his priorities

































