<b>By DAVE BLOWER JR. <br>
Farm World Editor</b> </p><p>

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Former North Dakota Gov. Ed Schafer was sworn in as the 29th USDA secretary on Jan. 28. Though he appears to have the support of key national farm groups, he also is facing the difficult task of guiding through a new federal farm bill.<br>
The current farm bill, adopted in 2002, was extended last year, but the extension is due to end on March 15. Many supporters of the Schafer appointment believe he will bring an end to the debate.
“Ed Schafer will make a fine Secretary of Agriculture, and the pork industry looks forward to working with him,” said NPPC President Jill Appell, a pork producer from Altona, Ill. “America’s pork producers will strongly support Secretary Schafer as he tackles issues of importance to the U.S. hog industry, including trade agreements, animal identification and the farm bill.”<br>
Schafer served two terms as North Dakota’s governor, holding the office from 1992-2000. In 1999, he served as the co-lead on agriculture for the National Governors Assoc. and in 2000 led an agricultural trade mission from North Dakota to China to help open new markets for his state’s farm products.<br>
Schafer has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of North Dakota and an MBA from the University of Denver.<br>
“I appreciate that the Senate (on Jan. 28) unanimously confirmed Ed Schafer to be our next Secretary of Agriculture. As a two-term governor and business leader, Ed has distinguished himself as an executive with a proven record of results,” said President Bush. “Ed will lead a department that oversees our food, agriculture, natural resources, food safety and health and nutrition programs. He will be an advocate for farmers, ranchers and consumers as he works to open new markets for their products. And he will work with the Congress to pass a responsible farm bill that will provide a safety net for farmers and protect our lands and the environment, while at the same time ensuring federal tax dollars are spent wisely.”
National Farmers Union President Tom Buis said Schafer worked closely with the North Dakota Farmers Union while he was a governor.<br>
“His time as governor of North Dakota, a state with a large agriculture economy, has given him an understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing family farmers, ranchers and consumers in the countryside,” Buis said. “As governor, Schafer worked closely with North Dakota Farmers Union, the state’s largest farm organization, and I am looking forward to building on this relationship at the national level.”<br>
American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman also believes Schafer will be a strong leader.<br>
“Secretary Schafer’s extensive experience with agriculture during his two terms as governor of North Dakota should benefit all Americans as he assumes oversight of crucial farm, food and conservation programs,” said Stallman. “Secretary Schafer’s experience with grain and livestock import issues, and his understanding of the importance of home-grown fuels such as biodiesel and ethanol, are among his many strengths.”