Washington, D.C., is in flux right now as the newly elected Donald Trump works to set up his administration. Of course, one of the big questions farmers across the country are pondering is who will be the next Secretary of the Department of Agriculture.
Although the position for Secretary of the USDA isn’t quite as sexy as, say, Attorney General or Secretary of State, the person tapped for that position will have a significant impact over agriculture during his or her tenure. The Secretary needs to understand, among other things, the complexity of the United States food system, the role of technology, the importance of trade, and how consumer perception is shaping the industry. Choosing the right person for the job will be key in moving agriculture in a positive direction, while also maintaining a balance between competing interests.
While we don’t have any official shortlist for the most likely candidates that President-elect Trump will nominate for the position, there is buzz surrounding a few frontrunners.
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[This article was originally published on AGDAILY as a guest column.]
