WASHINGTON, D.C. — Three months after his nomination, former Georgia Gov. George “Sonny” Perdue III was confirmed as the nation’s new secretary of agriculture. The final vote in the Senate was late in the day April 24.

 

He was sworn in early April 25 and went directly to speak to employees of the USDA in Washington. Later in the day, he went to a White House Agricultural Roundtable where 14 farmers and ranchers, many representatives of ag associations, met with President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence.

 

The meeting ended in Trump signing an executive order to form an interagency task force, led by Perdue, to identify legislative, regulatory and policy changes that would “enhance American agriculture, rural economic development, job growth, infrastructure improvements, technological innovation and energy security.”

 

The report from the task force is due within 180 days. American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) President Zippy Duvall was at the meeting and said it touched on topics such as trade, labor, regulatory reform and rural infrastructure. “Not only was President Trump receptive to our concerns, but he pledged action,” Duvall said. “He even looked toward Secretary Perdue and said, ‘Let’s get these problems fixed.’

 

“Today, agriculture had not just one but many seats at the table to share with the President how access to international markets, farm labor shortages and burdensome regulations impact not only the day-to-day business of our farmers and ranchers, but also the millions of jobs agriculture supports.”

 

Duvall said Perdue is a friend of his and farmers across Georgia, and understands the impact these factors have on their bottom line. “We are eager for agriculture to finally have a seat in the President’s cabinet, and we know Secretary Perdue is just as eager to get to work for farmers, consumers and rural America.

 

“There’s important work ahead for the Secretary, and he’ll need to address these challenges against the backdrop of the biggest drop in farm prices and income we’ve seen in decades … We are confident he is the right man for the job at hand.”

 

Dale Moore, executive director of Public Policy at the AFBF, said it was a busy first week, which included discussions on the North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA. He said Trump seemed to be most interested in the farmers’ personal stories during meeting.

 

The task force was already formed, but the executive order energized the agencies. Their representatives will work together to try to determine how various laws, policies and regulations impact people, businesses and the economy.

 

Moore said the end goal is to help rural communities by identifying concerns and what the government can do to help. In farm labor, while everyone agreed they would rather have domestic employees, they noted Americans don’t want jobs on farms. Too, dairy farms are hit hard by labor issues because they need assistance year-round, Moore added.

 

Later last week, Trump made an announcement about tax reform that wouldinclude eliminating the estate tax. It has been 30 years since the tax system has been reformed and the Ways and Means committees in the House and Senate are discussing how to move forward. 

 

 

Moore said Perdue has impressed many in D.C., even those voting against his confirmation.

 

During most hearings, the typical answer from nominees is, “I look forward to working on that with you,” while Perdue answered with a “yes,” “no” or plan of action. “He’s not going to be a pushover for anybody,” Moore said.

 

Many in agriculture seemed worried

about the three months it took to get Perdue confirmed. The industry has had no voice in budget discussions, for example, and the proposed budget Trump released would cut USDA funding by about 25 percent.

 

“In the first 100 days, any president is looking to put their mark on policy. Not having that voice in agriculture has been quite disappointing,” said Callie Eideberg, senior policy manager in ecosystem sustainable agriculture at the Environmental Defense Fund.

 

For instance, dairy trade issues with Canada and budget issues had no advocate. 

 

She said Trump has verbally supported rural communities and ag, but needs to have a representative in place to make sure priorities line up with what agriculture needs.

  

“The career people are really great, but can’t replace the designated guy,” Eideberg said, adding Perdue needs to start focusing on the budget right now and needs to check the appropriation budgets and make sure all current USDA programs are being funded.

 

His job, she said, is to make sure Trump knows the programs are vital not just to rural America but to the country. She thinks the task force seems like a step in the right direction and hopes her organization can help. 

 

Over the next year or two, she would like to see Perdue start working on the farm bill and deciding where the USDA will go next. “Conservation programs do good work, but we’d like to see them do better,” she said.

 

Innovation and technology on farms have changed and Eideberg would like to see the USDA reflect those changes and encourage farmers to learn about programs to help make those changes happen.

 

“This president … has an opportunity to think in creative ways. He can think of new ways to really meet the needs instead of just spending the dollars we have.” Roger Johnson, president of National Farmers Union (NFU), was relieved the Secretary was finally confirmed. He and others at NFU are ready to assist and hope Perdue provides a strong voice in D.C.

 

“Following his confirmation, Perdue will need to work immediately to address the depressed farm economy, offering assistance to struggling farmers across the country. We particularly look forward to working towards finding solutions for dairy producers, as discussed during the confirmation process,” Johnson said.

 

“Additionally, NFU urges Perdue toquickly review and approve the longoverdue Farmer Fair Practices Rules, which will provide farmers and rancherswith basic protections against anticompetitive practices. Although there is much to be done, we are optimistic that he is up to the task.”

 

 

Former USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack said Perdue needs to focus on defending the USDA budget. “The President’s budget to cut staff and programs might have been different if there had been a department secretary,” he said.

 

When he left in January along with former President Barack Obama, the USDA was already operating on a smaller budget than in the past. He said he spoke with Perdue shortly after his nomination in January and told him there are regulatory issues that need to be addressed, such as labeling laws. They also discussed trade, specifically NAFTA and China, as these include the top three export markets for the United States. Vilsack said Perdue needs to make his voice heard regarding NAFTA reorganization. “We want to support what’s working in NAFTA and change what isn’t,” he said.

 

Vilsack said the people who work at USDA will be an asset for Perdue, and he left the next secretary a 20-page memo.

 

“He’s got a great opportunity and it’s a wonderful job. He’ll be working with people who are dedicated to U.S. agriculture,” he said. “I think he has a chance to have his own mark on the department.”

 

Vilsack was only one of previous USDA secretaries to support Perdue’s nomination. He thinks Perdue’s experience as a governor gave him the unique skills needed to take on the responsibility of the USDA.

 

As a former governor himself, Vilsack knows the portfolio of skills needed to be a good governor is vital to the position of secretary. He said Perdue’s ag background and connections to Georgia – a state that has embraced good nutrition and is supportive of fruit and vegetable producers – helped him decide to offer Perdue his support.