Sonny Perdue Biography

Sonny Perdue learned about agriculture the hard way: he was born into a farmer family in Bonaire, Georgia. Perdue has seen the industry from every angle, beginning with his boyhood and continuing through his business and political careers. As a former farmer, agribusinessman, veterinarian, state politician, and governor of Georgia, he was appointed as the 31st Secretary of Agriculture of the United States on April 25, 2017. Perdue's policy as Secretary of Agriculture of the United States will be driven by four concepts that will shape his judgments. First, he will enhance the capacity of America's agricultural and agribusiness sector men and women to generate employment, produce and sell the foods and fiber that feed and clothe the globe, and realize the deserved benefit of their effort. The goal of the American government should be to remove all barriers to success for farmers, ranchers, and producers. Second, he would emphasize customer service for American taxpayers and customers every day. They will expect, and have every right to demand, that their government conducts the business of the people in an efficient, effective, and honest manner. Third, as Americans demand a safe and secure food supply, USDA will continue to play an important role in ensuring that the food we put on the table to nourish our families satisfies the stringent safety standards we've established. Food security is an important component of national security since hunger and peace do not coexist for long. Fourth, Perdue will never forget that America's agricultural richness is derived directly from the soil. And now, same land resources support over 320 million Americans, as well as countless millions more throughout the world. We are all stewards of the land, whether owned or rented, and it is our job to leave it better than we found it. Furthermore, Perdue appreciates the importance of a strong advocate for American agriculture in overseas markets. The United States is fortunate to be able to create more than its population can consume, implying that the bounty should be sold throughout the world. The USDA's relationship with its trade representatives, as well as the US Trade Representative and Department of Commerce, will be critical. The effort of promoting American agricultural goods to foreign countries will begin with those partnerships and will benefit us domestically as well as satisfy the moral responsibility of assisting in the world's feeding. Perdue has promised to be an outspoken supporter of American agriculture. Under Secretary Perdue's leadership, the USDA will always be fact-based and data-driven, with a customer-focused decision-making approach. He will seek answers to difficulties rather than bemoan the fact that the agency may confront significant obstacles. Growing up on a dairy and diversified row crop farm in rural Georgia, Perdue had no idea that the rewards of purposeful, meaningful labor would serve him so well in life. He was a vital part of his father's farm's labour as a small lad, feeding the calves and plowing the fields. As the son of an English teacher who taught for 42 years, he benefited from her teachings not only by establishing in him the principles he now holds dear, but also by instilling in him an understanding and respect for language and excellent syntax. But the family farm influenced Sonny Perdue more than anything else in his life. He has experienced the excitement of a large harvest as well as the anguish and destruction of a drought. He discovered through experience what his father had taught him as a child: if you take care of the land, the land will take care of you. Sonny Perdue has carried with him throughout his life the work ethic instilled in him by his farming ancestors. He served in the United States Air Force as a young man, reaching to the rank of Captain. After receiving his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Georgia, he went into private practice in North Carolina. After serving in the Georgia State Senate for eleven years, he was chosen by his colleagues to the office of President Pro Tempore. As Georgia's two-term governor, he was credited with turning a budget deficit into a surplus, significantly improving student performance in public schools, and fostering an economic environment that allowed employers to thrive and manufacturers and agricultural producers to achieve record levels of exports. Following these triumphs, he went on to have a successful career in agriculture, focusing on commodities and transportation in businesses that covered the southeastern United States. These experiences have served him well in his present job as the primary spokesman for American agriculture and everything that it supports. Perdue believes that good government should be efficient and fulfill the demands of its consumers, the people of the United States. He was renowned as a prominent authority on matters such as energy and utilities, agriculture, transportation, new technologies, and economic development as a state senator, as well as for his ability to comprehend the intricacies of difficult situations. As governor, he revised state budget priorities, assisted Georgians in creating more than 200,000 new employment, and marketed his home state to new firms throughout the world. Perdue was honored as a leader who aggressively explored novel ideas to boost the effectiveness and efficiency of government and give better value at a lower cost to taxpayers by the Reason Foundation Innovators in Action magazine in 2009. In addition, Governing Magazine recognized him Public Official of the Year in October 2010. His thoughts are never far from the wishes of the population " the genuine owners of the government" to this day. Perdue's perspectives on agriculture have always been informed by his firsthand understanding of all parts of the industry, both as a farmer and an agribusinessman. He understands the everyday problems and requirements of American farmers while also comprehending the complexities of global commodity markets. He is widely regarded as a national agricultural leader, having served on the board of the National Grain Feed Association and as President of the Georgia Feed and Grain Association and the Southeastern Feed and Grain Association. Perdue has long-standing, tight links with the American Farm Bureau leadership and has been recognized for his agricultural leadership by the Georgia 4-H and FFA programs, among others. As a native of Georgia, where agriculture is the primary economic driver, Perdue understands that agriculture is an issue and business that spans across political party lines. He knows that the size, complexity, and diversity of America's agriculture business necessitates working across the aisle to ensure that politics does not stymie excellent solutions for American farmers, ranchers, and consumers. Perdue and his wife, Mary Ruff Perdue, have been married for 45 years and have four grown children and fourteen grandkids. He and his wife have fostered eight children who are waiting to be adopted. Perdue is still a qualified aircraft and helicopter pilot as well as an ardent outdoor sportsman.

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