ADVOCACY REPORT
32
Almond Facts
MARCH | APRIL 2017
Former Georgia Governor
Gains USDA Nomination
Editor’s note – This
story was originally
published in AgAlert
and is being reprinted
with permission from
the California Farm
Bureau Federation.
By Dave Kranz
The man nominated to be the 31st U.S. secretary of
agriculture, Sonny Perdue, has spent his whole life
“understanding and solving the problems our farmers
face,” according to President Donald Trump.
On the day before his inauguration, Trump nominated
Perdue for the position, the final vacant spot in the
Cabinet. Perdue, 70, is a former governor of Georgia who
grew up on a farm, trained as a veterinarian and has
been involved in agricultural businesses before and after
his terms in political office.
California Farm Bureau Federation President Paul
Wenger noted that the U.S. Department of Agriculture,
which Perdue will lead, acts as an important partner in
research, conservation, food assistance and other efforts
that affect many Californians.
“We look forward to working with Governor Perdue
during his tenure,” Wenger said. “California is unique in
the diversity of crops we grow, the regions in which we
grow them and the critical issues we face. We will advise
Governor Perdue on how best the USDA can address
our unique issues to the benefit of our family farmers,
ranchers, farm employees and the many others who
depend on California agricultural production.”
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy
Duvall called Perdue an “outstanding nominee.” Duvall,
a former Georgia Farm Bureau president who worked
with Perdue on agricultural issues affecting their home
state, described the former governor as a businessman
“who recognizes the impact immigration reform, trade
agreements and regulation have on a farmer’s bottom
line and ability to stay in business from one season to
the next.”
Born George Ervin Perdue III, Perdue graduated from
the University of Georgia and obtained his veterinary
degree from the university’s College of Veterinary
Medicine. After service in the U.S. Air Force, he
practiced briefly as a veterinarian in North Carolina
before returning to Georgia, where he became a small-
business owner.
His political career began on the county planning and
zoning board. In 1990, he was elected to the Georgia
State Senate, where he served for 11 years before
resigning to run for governor. He was twice elected
governor, in 2002 and 2006.
Perdue faced a confirmation hearing in the
Senate Agriculture Committee in late March.
Its chairman, Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan.,
promised a “thorough confirmation
process” in a statement following
Perdue’s nomination.
“I believe that Sonny Perdue will be a good Secretary of Agriculture
who will stand up for farmers and ranchers and defend agriculture.
He will be a strong voice for agriculture in the administration.”
– Chuck Conner, President and CEO, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives
