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USDA Pick: Farmers' Grandson

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By MICHAEL A. FLETCHER, The Washington Post

Published: November 1, 2007

WASHINGTON - President Bush on Wednesday nominated Edward Schafer, who served two terms as governor of North Dakota, to head the Department of Agriculture, an agency with a broad mandate ranging from administration of the federal food stamp program and aiding economic development in rural America to enhancing food safety.

Bush called Schafer a natural candidate for the post, given his farm roots and experience as an entrepreneur and governor of a state where nearly a quarter of the workers hold agriculture-related jobs.

'Ed Schafer is the right choice to fill this post,' Bush said in the Roosevelt Room of the White House as Schafer stood by his side. 'He was a leader on agricultural issues during his eight years as governor of North Dakota.'

The grandson of Danish immigrants who farmed the North Dakota plains, Schafer will seek confirmation as Congress is moving toward passing a new $288 billion farm bill. The Senate version of the bill, passed out of committee two weeks ago, would make modest changes to subsidy programs intended to provide financial security to farmers.

'With Ed's leadership, we will work with Congress to pass a farm bill that provides farmers with a safety net, protects our lands and the environment, and spends federal tax dollars wisely,' Bush said.

The 61-year-old Schafer is being nominated to replace former Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns, who resigned last month to run for the Nebraska Senate seat being vacated by Republican Chuck Hagel next year.

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