To better serve foreign sales and domestic needs of farmers, the USDA is reorganizing, according to Secretary Sonny Purdue.
Sonny Purdue was in Cincinnati, Ohio Thursday afternoon, at barge and grain shipping facilities, to announce a newly created undersecretary position that would answer directly to him.
“As the global marketplace becomes more competitive each and every day we must position ourselves in the best way possible to maintain our role as the world leader in supplying food. So, today I announce a reorganization of USDA to put that same mindset on center stage,” Purdue said.
He announced the creation of a new undersecretary for trade and foreign agriculture affairs, who’s focus will be to promote U.S. food, fiber, and fuel around the world.
Perdue also announced domestic changes in the department that will align to serve farmers more efficiently.
“We are going to select an undersecretary for what we’re calling a newly named Farm Production and Conservation Missionary to focus on meeting our customers, the producers in the field, Purdue said” This will locate the farm service agency, the risk management agency, and the natural resources and conservation service under one roof and will provide a simplified one stop shop for our primary customers, the men and women farming, ranching, and foresting across America.”
He did not name any persons to fill the roles, saying they would be nominated by the president and approved by the Senate.
Rumor has it that Iowan?s are in the running for both top jobs.
Perdue addressed the need to cut as much as 21% of the USDA budget in the next fiscal year. To do so, streamlining operations will only be the first step.
