Sonny Perdue was sworn in as the 31st U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tuesday and officially introduced his new Twitter handle – @SecretarySonny. Welcome to Twitter Secretary Perdue.
After he took the oath of office, Perdue’s first order of business was to address employees at the USDA.
During his address, Perdue explained the four main principles that will guide him while making decisions as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture:
1. Maximize the ability of America’s agriculture and agribusiness sector to create jobs, to produce and sell the foods and fiber that feed and clothe the world, and to reap the earned reward of their labor. All while removing obstacles giving farmers, ranchers, and producers every opportunity to prosper.
2. Prioritize customer service every day for American taxpayers and consumers.
3. Ensure a safe and secure food supply. Food security is a key component of national security, because hunger and peace do not long coexist.
4. Remember that America’s agricultural bounty comes directly from the land. Perdue’s father’s words still ring true: We’re all stewards of the land, owned or rented, and our responsibility is to leave it better than we found it.
Listen to his full address here: Secretary Sonny Perdue addresses USDA