A high school quarterback, Air Force captain, veterinarian, small business owner, senator and former governor creates quite the resume for Trumps pick for Secretary of Agriculture.
Only a few days prior to his inauguration, President Trump declared his nominee for Secretary of Agriculture. This was his final pick, which rounded out the nominees for his cabinet. President Trump’s pick is Sonny Perdue.
President Trump sung high praise for his pick for Secretary of Agriculture. “From growing up on a farm to being governor of a big agriculture state, he has spent his whole life understanding and solving challenges our farmers face, and he is going to deliver big results for all Americans who earn their living off the land”.
Sonny Perdue was born and raised in Perry, Georgia on his family’s farm. He attended Warner Robins High School. During high school he was the quarterback which led him to walk-on at the University of Georgia. Perdue graduated from the University of Georgia and then went on to earn his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1971 from the University of Georgia.
Perdue became active in politics during the 1980s and was elected as a state senator in 1990. He served in this position until December of 2001. During his time in the state senate he served on the committees for ethics, finance and public utilities, health and human service, reapportionment and economic development and tourism and cultural affairs.
He was elected to serve the state of Georgia as governor in 2003. Perdue was the first Republican governor in the state of Georgia in over 130 years. He was reelected for a second term in 2006. During his terms as governor he focused on reforming state government and education throughout the state.
Now Perdue will take on the role of Secretary of Agriculture and will play a key part in the decision making for the future of the ag industry. He will face making important decisions on environmental regulations, declining farm incomes, consolidation of ag business companies, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the 2018 Farm Bill. Perdue’s resume has prepared him to take on these tough tasks as being Secretary of Agriculture.
“My philosophy of leadership is to surround myself with good people who have ability, judgment and knowledge, but above all, a passion for service.” -Sonny Perdue
The agriculture community has come out in support of President Trump’s pick for Secretary of Agriculture. Here is what some groups are saying about Sonny Perdue.
National Grain and Feed Association President Randy Gordon:
“Governor Perdue is an accomplished, innovative, problem-solving, and proven public servant, and is an excellent choice to serve as secretary of agriculture. He has strong rural roots, having grown up on a row-crop and dairy farm, and is a person of impeccable character, trustworthiness, and integrity who is an energetic, passionate, and tireless advocate for U.S. agriculture and for America.”
National Chicken Council President Mike Brown:
“Governor Perdue has a strong record as two-term chief executive of Georgia and is acquainted with a wide array of agriculture commodities, from chicken and peanuts to cotton and timber.As a veterinarian, agribusiness owner and a governor who established an agricultural advisory committee in Georgia, he understands and appreciates the importance of American agriculture both here and abroad. He is a welcomed choice from the ‘Broiler Belt. We hope he is confirmed expeditiously so we can begin work with the department on the many issues of importance to chicken producers.”
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President Tracy Brunne:
“Governor Perdue’s an excellent pick to head the Agriculture Department. As a lifelong agri-businessman and veterinarian, as well as the two-term governor of a state where agriculture’s the largest industry, Gov. Perdue has a unique and expert understanding of both the business and scientific sides of agriculture. In a time of increasing regulations and a growing governmental footprint, we have no doubt that Gov. Perdue will step in and stand up for rural America so that we can continue to do what we do best – provide the safest and most abundant food supply in the world.”
National Corn Growers Association President Wesley Spurlock:
“The National Corn Growers Association congratulates Governor Perdue on his nomination to lead USDA. We look forward to his confirmation hearing, and learning more about his positions on issues important to corn farmers and the entire agriculture industry. Agriculture is the backbone of rural America, and we need strong leadership within USDA to keep moving the industry forward through difficult economic times. That means protecting risk management programs, continuing to grow the renewable fuels industry, expanding foreign markets and increasing demand for U.S. agricultural products throughout the world.We stand ready to work with President-Elect Trump and the new USDA leadership to move agriculture and our country forward.”
American Soybean Association (ASA) President Ron Moore:
“Congratulations to Governor Perdue. USDA touches the lives of every American, and it is among the most crucial government functions for farmers across the United States. For soybean farmers, USDA serves us in so many ways. From working to implement a viable risk management framework to helping expand our markets overseas, to investing in agricultural research here at home, these are critical elements of the farm economy, and we look forward to working alongside USDA under Secretary Perdue to ensure that the department continues to serve American soybean farmers in the most effective manner possible.”
Sources:
http://www.senate.ga.gov/senators/en-US/Member.aspx?Member=386
https://www.beefusa.org/newsreleases1.aspx?newsid=6164
https://soygrowers.com/soy-growers-welcome-perdue-as-nominee-to-lead-usda/