Peterson Would Consider Ag Secretary Post, Introduces Bill on CRP

Outgoing House Ag Committee Chair Collin Peterson recently told the Hagstrom Report he’s not currently job hunting. However, he has offered to assist Joe Biden in setting up his agriculture policy. Peterson spoke to reporters during a news conference last week about a bill he introduced to make an additional 25 million acres available over the next five years for general CRP signup.

When questioned about his potential interest in becoming USDA Ag Secretary, Peterson responded with, “I’m going to back whoever he picks. It’s not my job to pick the next Ag Secretary.”

Peterson said he’s been “in the saddle” of public life for more than four decades. He added his emotions surrounding the election are mixed, and that’s he’s not looking for a full-time, four-year job. During a recent hunting trip with his children, they told him he “seems like a different person.”

He told the transition team in Washington, D.C., that he was willing to consider helping with the agricultural transition.

“There are plenty of good people out there who could be the next secretary,” Peterson added.

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