Leading into his presidential inauguration last week, Donald Trump announced that Sonny Perdue, former
governor of Georgia, was his last cabinet nomination and was tapped to be the next secretary of
agriculture.
Many in agriculture have applauded the choice, as evidenced by news releases from various organizations
in the agriculture industry that have indicated a positive reaction.
Here are excerpts from those releases, most of which were released before Friday’s inauguration, which is
why Trump is referred to as president-elect:
American Farm Bureau Federation
“The nomination of former Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue for Secretary of Agriculture is welcome news to
the nation’s farmers and ranchers. Governor Perdue will provide the strong voice that agriculture needs
in the new administration. He is an outstanding nominee,” said Zippy Duvall, president of the American
Farm Bureau Federation. “I have known Governor 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.”
House Agriculture Committee ranking member Collin Peterson
“Agriculture and rural America play such an important role in our economy. With the appointment of
Perdue, who has a background in agriculture, I am hopeful we will get a better sense of the incoming
administration’s policy plans for rural America. There is a lot of work ahead of us including
reauthorizing the farm bill, maintaining the RFS and rolling back some of the regulations that are
negatively impacting farmers. I look forward to sharing the concerns of Midwestern farmers with Perdue
and getting to work,” Peterson said.
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
“Governor 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 Governor 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,” said NCBA president Tracy
Brunner.
Georgia Cattlemen’s Association  
“Governor Perdue has always been a strong supporter of agriculture. His background in agribusiness and as
a veterinarian will bring a wealth of knowledge and real-world common sense to a department that is
vitally important to the success of our nation. As a graduate of the University of Georgia College of
Veterinary Medicine, he understands the issues we face in the livestock industry and he is a true
believer in the land grant university system, their mission, and how they impact the cattle industry
across the nation. His experience leading the state of Georgia, with its large agriculture heritage,
will be invaluable to the Trump administration,” said Kyle Gillooly, a seedstock cattle farmer in
Georgia and president of the Georgia Cattleman’s Association.
United States Cattlemen’s Association
“Sonny Perdue led a state with a $74 billion agricultural sector and a robust cattle industry, and we are
confident that Mr. Perdue will serve as a strong leader for rural America. Given Mr. Perdue’s veterinary
background, we know that we will have a strong advocate for issues related to animal health and
welfare,” said USCA President Kenny Graner. “USCA looks forward to working with Mr. Perdue and his staff
on the challenges facing today’s livestock industry.”  
National Pork Producers Council
“Well, we don’t have a lot of pork production down in Georgia,” said John Weber, NPPC president. “But
Sonny Perdue is from a farm family and he’s a veterinarian. As head of the U.S. Department of
Agriculture, he’ll be very good for America’s farmers and ranchers.”
He added, “In his two terms as governor, Perdue presided over the state’s top-ranked agricultural
economy. NPPC believes Sonny Perdue will make a great secretary. He knows farming, he knows exports are
vital to U.S. agriculture and he knows you need to run USDA like a business, not like the bureaucracy
it’s been for the past eight years.”
National Farmers Union
“Given the challenging state of the farm economy, more than ever, family farmers and ranchers need a
champion in Washington. I am hopeful we will find that champion in Sonny Perdue,” said Roger Johnson,
National Farmers Union president.
“USDA is more than agriculture’s agency; it is America’s agency. We look forward to working with Mr.
Perdue and the new administration to create and defend a strong farm safety net and provide meaningful
farm policy solutions for producers, particularly dairy farmers and cotton growers, in the next farm
bill.”
National Grange
“The National Grange, America’s oldest general farm and rural public interest organization, is largely
credited with the successful push to make the highest-ranking U.S. official for Agriculture a
cabinet-level position in the late 1800s. We are pleased to see the respect the incoming administration
and transition team has given the seat, which greatly impacts many aspects of rural life,” said Betsy
Huber, National Grange president.
“Mr. Perdue is certainly well qualified to head up the United States Department of Agriculture, from his
roots growing up on a rural crop and dairy farm to his education as a veterinarian and ownership of
small agribusinesses, Perdue has a personal perspective of agriculture and rural matters. The governor
understands the plight of agriculture, the challenges facing rural America, and the business acumen
required to oversee our nation’s massive food and agriculture policy system.
“We look forward to working with future Secretary Perdue on agriculture, food, land, water, rural
healthcare, rural broadband, conservation and other issues affecting rural and small town America.”
National Corn Growers Association
“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,” the NCGA said in its statement.
The National Wild Turkey Federation
“With his background rooted deep in rural Georgia, Perdue stands to make a positive impact on the
Department of Agriculture as well as its components such as the USDA Forest Service, which is charged
with maintaining and developing our nation’s wild lands today and for years to come. Being an avid
outdoorsman, Perdue understands the issues facing hunters, conservationists and others seeking to
conserve our natural resources for future generations,” the NWTF release stated.