Perdue bids farewell: ‘We put American agriculture first’

WASHINGTON — “Thank each one of you and God bless you and God bless America.”

That was the parting blessing from Sonny Perdue, outgoing U.S. secretary of agriculture, as he addressed the 2021 American Farm Bureau Virtual Convention for the last time in his federal role.

Perdue, appearing at the virtual convention via screen, summed up the accomplishments of the U.S. Department of Agriculture during the Trump administration and urged Farm Bureau members to stay active and engaged during the Biden administration.

Perdue is one of the original Trump Cabinet appointees who remained by the president throughout the administration. Trump announced just days before his own inauguration, on Jan. 20, 2017, that he was appointing Perdue as agriculture secretary.

“I know that you love America as much as I do, and my hope is that we will work together to solve the issues facing our nation. But that can only happen if you stay committed to the ideas and beliefs that we share,” Perdue said.

Perdue outlined the accomplishments and wins, both for the USDA and for American agriculture and farmers under President Donald Trump.

“Alongside President Trump and the faithful public servants at USDA, we put American agriculture first,” Perdue said.

That included trade deals and navigating through the trade war with China.

“We’ve not let farmers stand alone. Through two rounds of trade assistance, we helped farmers weather the storm as we stood up to China, who has taken advantage of us for many years. Last year alone, USDA supported American farmers and ranchers with access to more than $34 billion in emergency funds to help meet the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Perdue said.

He called for continuing work on exports and building export markets.

“We need more markets abroad to sell the abundance of American agriculture. This means more trade deals, like the USMCA and holding China to their trading commitments. Sights should be set on southeast Asia, the booming markets of Africa, as well as the United Kingdom,” he said.

During Perdue’s time at the USDA, the agency faced controversy when Perdue announced that two USDA agencies, the Economic Research Service and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, would be moved to Kansas City, Missouri. Over 250 employees of the agencies quit due to the move.

“When I became secretary, I made it my goal to leave USDA better than I found it and to have the most efficient, effective and customer-focused agency in the federal government. I sure hope we’ve lived up to that mission in your eyes,” Perdue said.

Perdue recognized the people he met on his travels throughout the United States.

“It’s so refreshing to see the great patriots who selflessly commit their lives to feed and clothe their fellow citizens. It’s been a true honor to serve as secretary of agriculture and to work alongside you all, especially my good friend, Zippy Duvall,” said Perdue, praising the American Farm Bureau president.