Perdue served as Georgia’s Governor from 2003 to 2011
By Diego Flammini
Assistant Editor, North American Content
Farms.com
A day before his inauguration into the White House, President-elect Donald Trump completed his cabinet selections, choosing former Georgia governor Sonny Perdue to serve as the Secretary of Agriculture.
"Sonny Perdue is going to accomplish great things as Secretary of Agriculture," Trump said in a statement. "From growing up on a farm to being governor of a big agriculture state, he has spent his whole life understanding and solving the challenges our farmers face, and he is going to deliver big results for all Americans who earn their living off the land."
Upon hearing of Perdue’s nomination, farm groups throughout the United States showed their support for the new head of the USDA.
“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,” American Soybean Association president Ron Moore said in a statement. “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.”
“The National Corn Growers Association congratulates Governor Perdue on his nomination to lead USDA, “Association president Wesley Spurlock said in a release. ““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.”
Some leaders of farm organizations say they know from experience that Perdue is the right person to lead the USDA.
“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," American Farm Bureau president Zippy Duvall said in a release. "He understands the challenges facing rural America because that’s where he was born and raised."
In addition to serving as Georgia’s governor, Perdue earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Georgia’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 1971.
And in 2007, asked for rain during prayer service he lead at the state Capitol in Georgia.