Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue will travel to Iowa later this week.
Sources confirm Secretary Perdue will visit USDA facilities in Ames Friday. The scheduled trip to Iowa was first reported on Agri-Pulse Day Break Tuesday morning. This marks Perdue?s second trip to the Midwest in a week. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey?s name has been tossed around as a possible candidate for deputy secretary.
Speaking to Ag reporters at a NAFB?s Washington Watch, Perdue said he doesn?t necessarily need a deputy from the Midwest but he is very serious about geographic and industry diversification.
?I want the USDA look like America, not all of it is centered in Bonair, Georgia and we understand that,? Perdue said.
President Trump must appoint someone for the position. Perdue said he?s submitted a few names but did not confirm Northey was on the list.
?We?ve asked them to look at some people we feel really good about. There timeline is the White House?s timeline and we don?t get ahead of the boss,? Perdue said. ?We will be helpful in identifying people that we think would do a wonderful job, but this is the president?s appointment.?
The Trump Administration has not formally announced anyone for the job yet.
