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| Nebraska Gov. Mike Johanns |
NCGA
Corn Board Endorses Johanns as Secretary of Agriculture (12-02-04)
The
National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) Corn Board today endorsed the confirmation
of Nebraska Gov. Mike Johanns
as the new secretary of agriculture and looks forward to working closely with
him on issues important to corn growers.
“Governor Johanns’ appointment is great news for U.S.
corn producers. His roots in farming mean he not only understands
the big picture of agriculture, but also has personal experience
in dealing with the challenges farmers face every day,” said
NCGA President Leon Corzine. “Over the past five decades,
NCGA has worked to build a strong relationship with the U.S. Department
of Agriculture. We look forward to continuing our valuable alliance
with USDA on issues important to the nation’s farm families.”
NCGA Corn Board member
Bob Dickey, a Laurel, Neb., corn farmer and former state legislator,
said Governor Johanns’ leadership
significantly strengthened the viability of agriculture in Nebraska.
Johanns has led numerous delegations of Nebraska government, business
and agriculture leaders on trade missions to eight countries including
Japan, Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, Australia, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia,
Brazil, and Chile.
“In my personal experience with Governor Johanns, I have
found him to be a true advocate of U.S. farmers and a person who
has an intimate understanding of the challenges and opportunities
facing farmers,” said Dickey, who accompanied Johanns on
a trade mission to Japan in 2003, a mission to Hong Kong and China
earlier this year, and a mission to Mexico just last month.
During the Japan mission, Johanns spoke on behalf of Nebraska
beef producers on the BSE issue, asking Japanese officials to open
the doors to U.S. beef. Dickey, who was appointed by Johanns as
a state senator in 1999, said the governor has also been a strong
advocate for Nebraska agriculture producers during a period of
depressed commodity prices and severe drought.
During his tenure as Nebraska governor, Johanns established incentives
for business growth and job creation in rural areas of Nebraska,
placing an emphasis on value-added agriculture, especially ethanol.
“Governor Johanns has a direct influence on the Nebraska
corn industry through the appointments he’s made to the Nebraska
Corn Board,” Dickey said. “The Nebraska Corn Board
has maintained an excellent rapport with the governor and we look
forward to building on this relationship at the national level.”