--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I have a sense that the USDA and the…" description: "\"I have a sense that the USDA and the secretary who represents the USDA has always been seen as either a stranger or adversary to the farming community ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a2/mike-espy-6672_always_i-have-a-sense-that-the-usda-and-the-sec_1500770.jpg" --- # I have a sense that the USDA and the secretary who… ![“I have a sense that the USDA and the secretary who represents the USDA has always been seen as either a stranger or adversary to the farming community and a stranger to the consuming community.” quote by Mike Espy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a2/mike-espy-6672_always_i-have-a-sense-that-the-usda-and-the-sec_1500770.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a2/mike-espy-6672_always_i-have-a-sense-that-the-usda-and-the-sec_1500770.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a2/mike-espy-6672_always_i-have-a-sense-that-the-usda-and-the-sec_1500770.jpg) > “I have a sense that the USDA and the secretary who represents the USDA has always been seen as either a stranger or adversary to the farming community and a stranger to the consuming community.” [Mike Espy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-espy/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The USDA is perceived as distant or hostile by both farmers and consumers, creating a trust gap. **In simple terms:** People feel the USDA is an outsider. Key Takeaway Build genuine dialogue with all stakeholders. Themes trust communication agricultural policy Mood concerned hopeful Type strategic inspirational When to use this quote - farmers meetings - consumer education campaigns - policy reviews Key Concepts public perception policy implementation Questions to Reflect On - How can the USDA become a trusted partner? - What steps bridge the farmer‑consumer divide? A Different Perspective Changing entrenched perceptions is difficult. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Community](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/community/) [Stranger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stranger/) [Usda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/usda/) ## Related quotes > [We have made changes at the USDA in our personnel and in the attitude that we would like to instill in our personnel. Some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-espy/we-have-made-changes-at-the-usda-in-our-personnel-and-in-the-attitude/) [Mike Espy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-espy/) > [There are some farmers who have been terribly discriminated against by the USDA. They've suffered tremendous losses and pain and anguish, and they deserve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-espy/there-are-some-farmers-who-have-been-terribly-discriminated-against/) [Mike Espy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-espy/) > [Generally, I'd say that the perception is correct that the USDA is too large. It's in many instances overboard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-espy/generally-i-d-say-that-the-perception-is-correct-that-the-usda-is-too/) [Mike Espy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-espy/) > [I think that as a government agency, USDA has a responsibility to reduce the levels of contamination and to mandate a stringent approach to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-espy/i-think-that-as-a-government-agency-usda-has-a-responsibility-to/) [Mike Espy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-espy/) > [“USDA regulations spell out precisely what sort of facility and system is permissible, but they don’t set thresholds for food-borne pathogens. (That would require…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-pollan/usda-regulations-spell-out-precisely-what-sort-of-facility-and-system/) [Michael Pollan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-pollan/) > [Never in my life would I have expected USDA to be opposed to farmers and ranchers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-moran/never-in-my-life-would-i-have-expected-usda-to-be-opposed-to-farmers/) [Jerry Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-moran/) > [USDA is committed to keeping pace with the needs and progress of American agriculture by supporting new markets and movements that will keep farmers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-vilsack/usda-is-committed-to-keeping-pace-with-the-needs-and-progress-of/) [Tom Vilsack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-vilsack/) > [ “A nationwide study published by the USDA in 1996 found that \[...\] 78.6 percent of the ground beef contained microbes that are spread primarily… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-schlosser/a-nationwide-study-published-by-the-usda-in-1996-found-that-78-6/) [Eric Schlosser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-schlosser/) > [Over the past two years, the Obama Administration and USDA have worked to build a foundation for sustainable economic growth in rural America. At…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-vilsack/over-the-past-two-years-the-obama-administration-and-usda-have-worked/) [Tom Vilsack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-vilsack/) > [One USDA scientist went so far as to claim that there has never been a documented case of food-borne illness from eating fermented vegetables.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-pollan/one-usda-scientist-went-so-far-as-to-claim-that-there-has-never-been/) [Michael Pollan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-pollan/) > [To amplify our efforts, USDA is joining with First Lady Michelle Obama in aggressively promoting the 'Let's Move' campaign, which will combat the epidemic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-vilsack/to-amplify-our-efforts-usda-is-joining-with-first-lady-michelle-obama/) [Tom Vilsack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-vilsack/) > [“The popular media and conventional wisdom, including the medical profession's traditional approach to nutrition, have created and continue to perpetuate this problem through inadequate,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-hoggan/the-popular-media-and-conventional-wisdom-including-the-medical/) Ron Hoggan > [The USDA is tasked with managing and promoting agriculture - including the well-funded animal agriculture industry - so it's pulled into a tug-of-war every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-greger/the-usda-is-tasked-with-managing-and-promoting-agriculture-including/) [Michael Greger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-greger/) > [To help producers serve larger institutional customers like schools and hospitals, USDA has helped fund new regional infrastructure like cold storage warehouses, commercial kitchens…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-vilsack/to-help-producers-serve-larger-institutional-customers-like-schools/) [Tom Vilsack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-vilsack/) > [Floods, droughts, and natural disasters are a fact of life for farmers, ranchers, and foresters. They have persevered in the past, and they will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonny-perdue/floods-droughts-and-natural-disasters-are-a-fact-of-life-for-farmers/) [Sonny Perdue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonny-perdue/) ## More by Mike Espy > [If you're going to get elected to anything in Mississippi, you have to pay attention to and court the black vote.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-espy/if-you-re-going-to-get-elected-to-anything-in-mississippi-you-have-to/) [Mike Espy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-espy/) > [What better symbol of unity, what better symbol of growth, than to have Mike Espy in the United States Senate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-espy/what-better-symbol-of-unity-what-better-symbol-of-growth-than-to-have/) [Mike Espy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-espy/) > [I am an African American public official operating in an environment dominated by Caucasians. That is not too dissimilar from what I had to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-espy/i-am-an-african-american-public-official-operating-in-an-environment/) [Mike Espy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-espy/) > [I really don't need anyone to come to Mississippi to generate a vote for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-espy/i-really-don-t-need-anyone-to-come-to-mississippi-to-generate-a-vote/) [Mike Espy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-espy/) > [There are some farmers who have been terribly discriminated against by the USDA. They've suffered tremendous losses and pain and anguish, and they deserve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-espy/there-are-some-farmers-who-have-been-terribly-discriminated-against/) [Mike Espy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-espy/) > [While we march in the streets making our voices heard, we must also march to the ballot box. That's where the real change happens.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-espy/while-we-march-in-the-streets-making-our-voices-heard-we-must-also/) [Mike Espy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-espy/) > [We made mistakes in 2018, as a candidate and as a campaign. I had not campaigned in 25 years, and people forgot me, they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-espy/we-made-mistakes-in-2018-as-a-candidate-and-as-a-campaign-i-had-not/) [Mike Espy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-espy/) > [I'm the proud father of three Black children.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-espy/i-m-the-proud-father-of-three-black-children/) [Mike Espy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-espy/) > [There's no way that I could be a congressman in a California district at 32.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-espy/there-s-no-way-that-i-could-be-a-congressman-in-a-california-district/) [Mike Espy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-espy/) > [It's hard to pick yourself up and go vote for a candidate if you don't have any sense that that candidate could have an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-espy/it-s-hard-to-pick-yourself-up-and-go-vote-for-a-candidate-if-you-don/) [Mike Espy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-espy/) > [You've got to know what you need to correct.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-espy/you-ve-got-to-know-what-you-need-to-correct/) [Mike Espy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-espy/) > [I am dedicated to expanding Medicaid in Mississippi.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-espy/i-am-dedicated-to-expanding-medicaid-in-mississippi/) [Mike Espy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-espy/) > [I'm a frustrated artist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-espy/i-m-a-frustrated-artist/) [Mike Espy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-espy/) > [The United States has taken pride in maintaining the 'safest food supply in the world.' And we can still have it, as long as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-espy/the-united-states-has-taken-pride-in-maintaining-the-safest-food/) [Mike Espy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-espy/) > [I am a lifelong Mississippian. I remember Jim Crow, 'colored' and 'white' water fountains, and my mother's inability to try on a dress in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-espy/i-am-a-lifelong-mississippian-i-remember-jim-crow-colored-and-white/) [Mike Espy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-espy/) [Explore all 98 Mike Espy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-espy/) ## More Always quotes > [I think performing has pretty much always been a part of me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isa-briones/i-think-performing-has-pretty-much-always-been-a-part-of-me/) [Isa Briones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isa-briones/) > [I always thought if I was born 2000 years earlier, I would be a monk, probably carving a monastery or some giant pantheon buildings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenova-chen/i-always-thought-if-i-was-born-2000-years-earlier-i-would-be-a-monk/) [Jenova Chen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenova-chen/) > [I always like a character who makes me laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-stirling/i-always-like-a-character-who-makes-me-laugh/) [Rachael Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-stirling/) > [It's always great to see old friends, especially those I have not been able to see in 15 months.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-regal/it-s-always-great-to-see-old-friends-especially-those-i-have-not-been/) [William Regal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-regal/) > [When you step out and do a song in a musical, the easier thing to do is make it funny. But when those transitions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/when-you-step-out-and-do-a-song-in-a-musical-the-easier-thing-to-do/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [I have really good lateral movement. I've always had quick lateral movement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-rivers/i-have-really-good-lateral-movement-i-ve-always-had-quick-lateral/) [Austin Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-rivers/) > [There is something magical about being able to feel somebody. And that is something that has always moved me with music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-brink/there-is-something-magical-about-being-able-to-feel-somebody-and-that/) [Maria Brink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-brink/) > [Mythology is something that always has opportunities to explore. 'It' has been on Earth for millions of years. He's been in contact with humans…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-muschietti/mythology-is-something-that-always-has-opportunities-to-explore-it/) [Andy Muschietti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-muschietti/) > [It's not writing in the traditional sense, but I've always said that the writing process continues on the set and even into the editing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-b-weide/it-s-not-writing-in-the-traditional-sense-but-i-ve-always-said-that/) [Robert B. Weide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-b-weide/) > [I always watch my matches back 100 times afterwards because that's how I improve. This is something I've always done, even in NXT.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-rose/i-always-watch-my-matches-back-100-times-afterwards-because-that-s/) [Mandy Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-rose/) > [I've always been of the idea that is doesn't really matter where you are geographically - with 'Lonerism,' we made half the album in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-parker/i-ve-always-been-of-the-idea-that-is-doesn-t-really-matter-where-you/) [Kevin Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-parker/) > [It's very easy to fool yourself that you're working, you know, when you're really not working very hard. I mean, I'm very lazy. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-caro/it-s-very-easy-to-fool-yourself-that-you-re-working-you-know-when-you/) [Robert Caro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-caro/) > [Whether it was Little League or playing with your brothers or sisters, that was always a problem. If I would lose - because I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-ripken-jr/whether-it-was-little-league-or-playing-with-your-brothers-or-sisters/) [Cal Ripken, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-ripken-jr/) > [I always say if you put someone from a small town into a big city for ten years, then when they go back, they'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-colter/i-always-say-if-you-put-someone-from-a-small-town-into-a-big-city-for/) [Mike Colter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-colter/) > [Bayern is always a team that can win the Champions League title in Europe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lothar-matthaus/bayern-is-always-a-team-that-can-win-the-champions-league-title-in/) [Lothar Matthaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lothar-matthaus/) Browse all 36,048 Always quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I have a sense that the USDA and the secretary who represents the USDA has always been seen as either a stranger or adversary to the farming community and a stranger to the consuming community.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Mike Espy" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-espy/i-have-a-sense-that-the-usda-and-the-secretary-who-represents-the/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Always" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-espy/i-have-a-sense-that-the-usda-and-the-secretary-who-represents-the/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a2/mike-espy-6672_always_i-have-a-sense-that-the-usda-and-the-sec_1500770.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a2/mike-espy-6672_always_i-have-a-sense-that-the-usda-and-the-sec_1500770.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a2/mike-espy-6672_always_i-have-a-sense-that-the-usda-and-the-sec_1500770.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I have a sense that the USDA and the secretary who represents the USDA has always been seen as either a…” — Mike Espy", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Mike Espy", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-espy/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I have a sense that the...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-espy/i-have-a-sense-that-the-usda-and-the-secretary-who-represents-the/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-espy/i-have-a-sense-that-the-usda-and-the-secretary-who-represents-the/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```