Trump Taps Sonny Perdue As Ag Secretary

President-elect Donald Trump has completed appointments for his cabinet, tapping former Georgia governor Sonny Perdue as secretary of agriculture.

Trump nominated Perdue Jan. 18 for the position, one day prior to his swearing in as 45th president of the United States.

Perdue, 70, a veterinarian, politician and now businessman, served two terms, from 2003 to 2011, and was Georgia's first Republican governor in over a century. Similarly, if Perdue receives Senate approval, he will be the first ag secretary from the South since Mike Espey, of Mississippi, who served in the Clinton administration.

Perdue is the second Georgian selected to fill Trump's cabinet, following the nomination of Rep. Tom Price (R), Roswell, to become secretary of Health and Human Services.

Freshman Georgia U.S. Sen. David Perdue is Sonny Perdue's first cousin.

In a Jan. 18 press release, David Perdue stated, "I could not be more proud of my cousin, Sonny, for being named the next Secretary of Agriculture. Sonny's executive experience as a two-term governor of Georgia, the first Republican in 135 years, as well as his veterinary

background and agribusiness career, are a few of the many reasons he is the best person for the job."

"Sonny is a national leader, having served as the chairman of the Republican Governors Association, board member for the National Grain & Feed Association, president of the Georgia Feed and Grain Association, and president of the Southeastern Feed and Grain Association," DaPERDUE vid Perdue stated. "I am confident Sonny will work hard to advance smart agriculture policies that will help our farmers, ranchers and rural communities across the country."

The secretary of agriculture heads a $140 billion agency and is responsible for developing farm policy across the country.

While serving in the Georgia legislature, Perdue, a Perry native, was involved in developing the state's agriculture policy.

Perdue has worked in the private sector since leaving office, including operating trucking and logistics firms.

"It's very exciting, I think, for the industry as a whole," said Drew Echols, managing partner of Jaemor Farms, off state Route 365. Jaemor Farms produces a variety of fruit and vegetable crops and is an agricultural tourism magnet in Northeast Georgia.

Echols noted Perdue has deep experience with Georgia agriculture, "which is very diverse," and includes poultry, cattle, fruits and vegetables, horticulture and more. "He will bring that knowledge and experience" to the office, Echols said. "Just having been governor of a state, he brings that to the office."

"I think it's a wonderful selection," said Tom Hensley, president of Fieldale Farms Corp. Jan. 19. "We have bought corn from him for years." Georgia corn is available before producers in states like Illinois harvest, Hensley said. "So he knows grain" and being from south Georgia knows cotton and other crops "and understands the chicken market, the largest agricultural business in Georgia."

"I'm excited," said Gilbert Barrett, president of White County Farmers Exchange in Cleveland, and a local farmer raising chicken and cattle. "I think it's good for Georgia farmers and agribusiness."

Perdue worked closely with the Georgia Farm Bureau and "is a true friend of agriculture," Barrett said Jan. 19. "It's good to see some diversity" among agriculture secretaries, Barrett said, noting "the last three agriculture secretaries have been from the Midwest."

Barrett said Georgia Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall is now also president of the American Farm Bureau. "I think [Perdue's selection as secretary and Duvall at the helm of the national Farm Bureau program] speaks well of agriculture leadership programs in Georgia," Barrett said.

"Perdue will serve Georgia well, will bring common sense and logic" to the ag department, and "decrease regulatory requirement while also ensuring food safety," Barrett said.