Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack is headed to Virginia to campaign in Blacksburg with a one-term Democratic congressman in an appeal to rural voters in the state on President Barack Obama's behalf.

The former Iowa governor joins former Rep. Tom Perriello at Virginia Tech on Tuesday to discuss how Obama's policies have benefited farming communities.

Obama's campaign says Vilsack is appearing on his personal time, not in his official capacity.

Republicans and Democrats have been battling fiercely statewide over a state both considers important to victory in November's presidential race.

Perriello was elected to Virginia's 5th District seat in Obama's 2008 electoral sweep of the state, but lost his seat just two years later to Republican Robert Hurt.