U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced the appointment of Bruce Summers as the Administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), part of the Marketing and Regulatory Programs mission area. “During his many years at the department, Bruce Summers has earned a reputation for excellence and effectiveness,” Secretary Sonny Perdue said. “As the Acting …
Secretary Perdue Names FSA Administrator
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the appointment of Richard Fordyce to serve as Administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA). In his role, Fordyce will provide leadership for FSA and its mission to support agricultural production across America through a network of over 2,100 county and 50 state offices. “As a fourth-generation farmer, …
Perdue Announces FSIS Key Leadership
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the appointment of Carmen Rottenberg and Paul Kiecker to key leadership positions within the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). Rottenberg has been named the Administrator of FSIS and Kiecker the Deputy Administrator. “Providing all Americans access to a safe and secure food supply is one of USDA’s …
Secretaries Perdue and Zinke Join Forces to Combat 2018 Wildfire Season
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue and Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke Thursday hosted a fire briefing for Members of Congress at the Department of Agriculture detailing the wildfire forecast for 2018. Following the meeting, the secretaries sent a letter to wildland fire leadership highlighting the importance of inter-departmental collaboration to increase firefighter, public, and community safety as the 2018 wildfire season approaches. …
Secretary Perdue Commits to Prioritizing Food Waste Solutions
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue hosted a food waste roundtable with Representatives Chellie Pingree (ME-1) and David Young (IA-3), food industry leaders, and non-profit groups at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This roundtable, the first of many USDA public events on food waste, serves as an opportunity to raise awareness while discussing solutions with leaders throughout the entire …
Alabama Farmers Discuss Farm Bill Plans with Ag Secretary
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue met with Alabama farmers May 3 to hear their ideas for the farm bill Congress is drafting. Perdue held the meeting at the request of Alabama’s U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt, who chairs the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee. About 20 farmers attended a roundtable discussion with Perdue at Sam Spruell’s Marion County farm near Guin. …
Perdue Applauds President Trump’s Selection for USDA’s Under Secretary for Food Safety
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today applauded President Donald J. Trump’s selection of Dr. Mindy Brashears to be the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Under Secretary for Food Safety. After the announcement, Secretary Perdue issued the following statement: “Food safety is at the core of USDA’s mission, because it directly affects the health and well-being of millions of Americans …
Perdue on Timing of Disaster Funds
This week, Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced new details on eligibility for that new USDA disaster program, 2017 Wildfires and Hurricanes Indemnity Program, or 2017 WHIP. These dollars will help producers with recovery of their agricultural operations in at least nine states with hurricane damage and states impacted by wildfire. In a statement, Secretary Perdue said “At President Trump’s direction, …
Perdue To Allow Modified FMD Virus Onto US Mainland
Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue has authorized the movement of a modified, non-infectious version of the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) virus from the Plum Island Animal Disease Center to the U.S. mainland for the purposes of continued vaccine development and study. While modified FMD virus is unable to cause disease and presents no risk of transmitting the disease, it …
Secretary Perdue Comments on Senate Confirmation of Ken Barbic
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue issued the following statement regarding Senate confirmation of Ken Barbic, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations: “As USDA continues its mission of helping agricultural producers feed, fuel, and clothe the world, effective communication with Congress is a key element. Ken Barbic will bring a combination of an agricultural background …