OKLAHOMA CITY (June 10, 2019) - Governor Kevin Stitt today met with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue in Washington, D.C. to discuss Oklahoma agriculture and how the state and federal government can work together to support our farmers and ranchers.
“I was honored to meet with Secretary Perdue as we talked about ways to move Oklahoma forward and support our hard-working farmers and ranchers that are a staple for both our state and national economy,” said Stitt. “I applaud Secretary Perdue and President Trump who have been champions for our farmers and ranchers across the country and key players in helping secure $3 billion in federal resources for our farmers who have experienced significant damage to their operations in the past few months. I also look forward to working with Secretary Perdue as our state works to become the number one location for future job opportunities related to rural Oklahoma and the ag-based economy.”
During the discussion, Governor Stitt thanked the Trump administration for their work in securing disaster relief for Oklahoma’s farmers who have experienced damages and losses due to recent flooding and severe weather. Last week, President Trump signed legislation that provides $3 billion for farmers and ranchers across the U.S. in need of financial support as they begin the long recovery process.
The governor and Secretary Perdue also spoke about funding from USDA to continue to control and work toward eradication of feral hogs. Invasive feral hogs cost Oklahoma farmers and ranchers significantly, causing damage to growing crops and forages, potentially carrying disease to livestock, and other risks.
Finally, Governor Stitt encouraged the Trump administration to consider Oklahoma for the location of future federal ag-related jobs, praising the administration for its efforts to move the presence of federal agencies outside of Washington, D.C.
Secretary Sonny Perdue was nominated by President Trump and confirmed as the 31st U.S. Secretary of Agriculture in 2017.
