Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack addressed members of Growth Energy at their Second Annual Legislative Conference in Washington DC this morning and was honored with the ethanol organization’s “Fueling Growth” award for his dedication and support of domestic, renewable fuels. Vilsack (left) is pictured here receiving the award from Growth Energy Co-Chairman Jeff Broin of POET and CEO Tom Buis.

Vilsack congratulated Growth Energy for the work the organization has done to help the biofuels industry. “Were it not for your advocacy and your work, this industry would be in far worse shape politically than it is today,” Vilsack said. “You want to strengthen America? You want to create jobs? You better be a supporter of biofuels.”

Listen to or download Vilsack’s comments to Growth Energy here. Secretary Tom Vilsack at Growth Energy Conference