The nomination of Perdue as the next secretary of agriculture is supported by the the American Farm Bureau, National Milk Producers Federation, National Corn Growers Association, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and the American Feed Industry Association, an article on the Michigan Farm Bureau website said.
Michigan Farm Bureau President Carl Bednarski said the former governor is good for agriculture and the nation, according to the article.
"Perdue, a two-time Georgia governor, is a veterinarian, former captain in the U.S. Air Force and a businessman who understands trade," Bednarski said in the article. “Mr. Perdue was involved in the grain and fertilizer industry much of his career, and a small business owner.”
Bednarski said the culture of Georgia is different but agriculture is important there just the same. “And while we don’t normally think of Georgia as being much like Michigan, it does have a considerable specialty crop sector, so we hope he understands some of the challenges that face Michigan specialty crop growers,” he said in the article.
“The nomination of former Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue for secretary of Agriculture is welcome news to the nation’s farmers and ranchers,” Zippy Duvall, president of the American Farm Bureau Federation, said in the article. “I have known Gov. Perdue for years. I’ve seen firsthand his commitment to the business of agriculture as we worked together on issues facing farmers and ranchers in our home state of Georgia. He understands the challenges facing rural America because that’s where he was born and raised. He is 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. Gov. Perdue will provide the strong voice that agriculture needs in the new administration."
Jim Mulhern, president and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation said Perdue is well qualified, the article said.
"Former Gov. Perdue is well-qualified to run the U.S. Department of Agriculture as a result of his eight years of executive experience as Georgia’s governor, and his career as a state legislator and small businessman," Mulhern said in the article. “His educational training as a veterinarian also gives him unique insights into the important issues facing America’s livestock producers in the areas of animal health, food safety and the environment.”
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