USDA Secretary Perdue Confirms Participation in Iowa Ag Summit

DES MOINES, Iowa  – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue will participate in the Iowa Ag Summit set for Aug. 5 to highlight trade, energy, sustainability, the environment, corporate mergers, the 2018 farm bill and other issues important to agriculture’s future, event organizer Bruce Rastetter said today.

Perdue, a veterinarian and former Georgia governor, made his first official visit to Iowa on May 5, touring the 5,000-head Couser Cattle Co., operating near Nevada in what was described as his first major policy speech and an opportunity to listen to farmers’ concerns. He also touted his commitment to renewable energy production, international trade agreements that benefit American agriculture and reducing regulatory burdens on farmers.

“Obviously, having a commitment from Secretary Perdue to join in this discussion signals the value he place on developing a comprehensive strategy to ensure agriculture and our country’s agribusinesses are as vibrant and productive as they can be,” Rastetter said. “He has already demonstrated his willingness to listen to not just the loudest voices, but those on the front lines of the effort to feed the United States and the world. I’m looking forward to a very productive dialogue on the issues that will help the agriculture sector flourish now and well into the future.”

This year’s Iowa Ag Summit will take place at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines. Sponsored by Summit Agricultural Group, the event will feature, state, regional, national and international officials. Rastetter and Summit Agricultural Group hosted the first-ever Iowa Ag Summit in March 2015, featuring one-on-one discussions on agriculture and economic issues with the field of presidential candidates.

This year’s summit will feature unique perspectives from state, national and international officials on the diverse issues affecting agriculture today. It will include keynote speeches, panel discussions and agricultural exhibits, providing a platform for elected officials, public policy leaders, agri-business leaders and the public to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing today’s agricultural industry.

For more information, please visit: www.IowaAgSummit.com or for ticket information, please contact Jill Ryan at (515) 282-3000 or jill@cgiowa.com.

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