Perdue Tabbed as New Secretary of Agriculture

Former Georgia governor Sonny Perdue has been nominated to serve as Secretary of Agriculture in the Trump Administration.

Perdue served two terms as governor (2003 to 2011) and was a member of the Trump agricultural advisory team. Perdue earned a doctorate in veterinary medicine, but has spent much of his career in the grain and fertilizer business in rural Georgia, as well as working in agricultural trade.

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Two or the nation’s leading cotton organizations – the National Cotton Council and Plains Cotton Growers – quickly congratulated Perdue on his nomination.

“Our industry looks forward to working with Governor Perdue as he leads USDA to help ensure a strong and viable agricultural and rural economy, including important actions necessary for the stabilization of the U.S. cotton industry,” NCC Chairman Shane Stephens said. “It is encouraging to see a Secretary of Agriculture nominee with a strong production agriculture and agribusiness background and with experience, who comes from the second largest cotton-producing state.”

Stephens said the NCC stands ready to work with Governor Perdue and the senior leadership team that will be put in place at USDA to carry out the Department’s important mission ‎and service to American agriculture.

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“We want to congratulate Governor Perdue, and we look forward to working with him as he leads the U.S. Department of Agriculture,” said PCG President Johnie Reed, a cotton producer from Kress, TX.  “He’s a veterinarian and a successful agribusinessman who grew up on a traditional row-crop farm, a combination that undoubtedly gives him a wide understanding of many aspects of agriculture. That knowledge will serve agriculture and the USDA well.

“As cotton growers, we appreciate the fact that Perdue is aware of the challenges facing our industry in particular,” Reed said. “However, agriculture as a whole is of utmost importance, as we all must work together to feed and clothe this nation and the world. We know that Governor Perdue will be a strong and effective leader for USDA and a champion for agriculture, and we wholeheartedly support him as he continues his path toward becoming our next Secretary of Agriculture.”

 

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