Welcome aboard

One wonders if the newly minted Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer will greet the Feb. 7-8 meeting of the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee. Schafer will have to get up to speed quickly, and farm lobbyists are more than willing to help. Here, American Farm Bureau Federation president Bob Stallman gave this greeting to Ed Schafer yesterday:

“As the opportunity arises, we will offer Secretary Schafer insights on the new farm bill from our farmer and rancher members who work on the land to provide food, fiber and fuel for our nation. We look forward to working with him and thank his predecessor, Chuck Conner, for his efforts as acting secretary.”



From the office of Sen. Tom Harkin:

“As a former North Dakota Governor, Ed Schafer has a background leading a state in which agriculture is critical. Agriculture is likewise a vital part of our national economy and thus the leadership of USDA must be forward-looking and energetic. So I congratulate him on his Senate confirmation today and I look forward to working with him in the weeks and months ahead. It is critical that USDA work with Congress to overcome the challenges in completing a new farm bill for the department to implement. Governor Schafer’s leadership can help make this new farm bill a reality."