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Ohio ag organizations express support for Perdue nomination

Several Ohio agriculture organizations tell Brownfield they support President-Elect Trump’s nomination of former Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue to lead the USDA.

Elizabeth Harsh, Executive Director of the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association, says Perdue’s background in production agriculture and veterinary medicine will help the USDA address excessive government regulations.

“Times are tough throughout the country as you look at rural America and just somebody that understands rural America, understands how important production of food in this country is and can relate to that will be a huge step forward,” says Harsh.

Tadd Nicholson, Executive Director of Ohio Corn & Wheat tells Brownfield they hope Perdue is ready to hit the ground running as discussions on the 2018 Farm Bill begin.

“Every time you think about a new Farm Bill coming into play, there’s been a lag and difficulty in training the field staff to service that, and I think that’s an area that we’ll be looking to help the USDA with and assist them in any way we can to speed that whole process up,” says Nicholson.

Jack Irvin, Director of State & National Policy for the Ohio Farm Bureau says their ongoing work with the American Farm Bureau Federation, and Perdue’s connection to AFBF President Zippy Duvall, who is also from Georgia, will ensure that Midwestern concerns continue to be heard at USDA.

“We’re confident that no matter who is in office as the secretary, Ohio Farm Bureau will continue to share our voice and share our concerns. Some of the issues that the Midwest will face will be heard loud and clear,” says Irvin.

The Ohio Pork Producers also say they look forward to working with the Ag Secretary to identify excessive regulations adversely affecting the Ohio pork industry.