The incoming governor lays out expectations for his Ag Secretary pick.
Speaking to members of the Wisconsin Dairy Business Association, Republican Governor-elect Scott Walker says he wants someone with a really good background in agriculture to serve as secretary of the Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection Department. “I want someone who’s got, first and foremost, experience in agriculture, who’s got a broad spectrum of experience…”
Walker says his Ag Secretary needs to have the respect from a broad spectrum of agriculture and agribusiness related organizations. He says ALL his cabinet members must have experience working with state lawmakers.
In addition, Walker says, his DNR Secretary and appointments to the natural resources board must be fully qualified. “I want to make sure that at least one if not multiple appointees are people on the natural resources board who have an agriculture background. Obviously I want people who’ve got a vested interest in hunting, fishing and trapping.”
Walker reiterates his number one goal, which is to create jobs, and he says his Ag secretary and all other cabinet members must understand that goal. “I want every cabinet secretary to have branded across their head ‘250,000 jobs.'”
Rod Nilsestuen, who was well respected in the agriculture community, lead the agency from 2003 until he drowned in July of this year.
