December 14, 2000

Regardless of who takes the oath of office Jan. 20 as president, farmers will expect a new secretary of agriculture who will serve as an advocate for their "diverse needs," says the American Farm Bureau Federation. That will be no easy task "considering the variety of production in this country as well as the commodity price drops, weather disasters, costly regulations, and other issues growers are confronted with," AFBF adds. The outlook is complicated further by a Senate split 50-50 between Republicans and Democrats and the GOP holding a slim nine-member majority in the House.

Forty-six of the respondents to an AFBF "Voice of Agriculture" Web poll said "farm policy expertise" was the most important factor "in choosing the next Secretary of Agriculture." Thirty percent of the respondents said candidates should have actual "farming experience." For 21% of the respondents "bipartisan flexibility" is key. "Political credentials" trailed far behind with only 3% of the vote.