New Ag Secretary?

Luis of the Fresh Produce Industry Discussion Group first posted this news from the AP:

By DEB RIECHMANN
Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Bush on Wednesday will nominate Edward Schafer, a two-term Republican governor from North Dakota, to be his next secretary of agriculture, a senior administration official said.

Schafer, who chose not to run again in North Dakota in 2000, will replace Mike Johanns, who resigned as U.S. agriculture secretary last month to launch a bid for the Nebraska Senate seat being vacated by Republican Chuck Hagel at the end of next year.

Bush will make the announcement at 2 p.m. EDT in the Roosevelt Room.

TK: We will have to wait until 2 pm Eastern to be sure. Schafer told KFYR TV recently that he had been approached to take the job as president of the University of North Dakota, but wasn't interested. Schafer lives in Fargo and is partner in a business consulting firm, KFYR reports. Conner is both the Deputy Secretary of Agriculture and Acting Agriculture Secretary, so one might assume he will remain at USDA even after the presumptive nominee Schafer is confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Perhaps Conner's frank views about payment limits makes him a difficult pick for Southern lawmakers, but it seems likely he will remain a vital part of USDA's team for the foreseeable future.