ST. PAUL — U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will visit the University of Minnesota to talk about new programs for farmers.

The USDA says Vilsack will appear on the St. Paul campus today to announce new initiatives to help farmers across the country better manage their risks.

The switch to risk management programs such as crop insurance and away from traditional farm subsidy programs was a major feature of the new five-year farm bill, which President Barack Obama signed in February.

Vilsack will be joined by U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken, as well as U.S. Reps. Collin Peterson, Tim Walz and Rick Nolan. Peterson is the ranking Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee and played a leading role in shaping the legislation, which the USDA is in the process of implementing.