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McKinney’s diverse background a good fit for new USDA role

Earlier this week Indiana State Director of Agriculture Ted McKinney was selected by President Trump to serve as the Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs.

McKinney tells Brownfield he’s honored to be nominated by the President.  “I so appreciate the support and encouragement from Secretary Perude and frankly the many friends here in the industry and Indiana who have reached out and expressed support,” he says.  “I look forward to serving – if confirmed.”

In May, Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue announced the creation of the position, which he says is a recognition of the ever-increasing importance of international trade to American agriculture.

Several agricultural organizations, both state and national have expressed support for McKinney’s nomination.

Jane Ade Stevens, CEO of Indiana Corn and Indiana Soybean says McKinney has been a tireless advocate for Indiana agriculture and a great partner in working on the issues most important to growing food, fiber, and fuel.

The National Corn Growers Association says trade is more important than ever for farmers to overcome the challenging farm economy and McKinney will be a strong advocate for US agriculture on the global stage.  The American Soybean Association says the support his nomination and looks to the Senate to quickly confirm him.

McKinney worked at both Dow AgroSciences and Elanco Animal Health before serving as the director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture.  While at ISDA McKinney helped launch Indiana’s new dairy strategy; worked to further develop the Indiana Grown initiative, a program that promotes and products grown and produced within the state; and most recently worked on Indiana agriculture’s new strategic plan.

The Senate is expected to complete the confirmation hearing before its August recess.

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