Sonny Perdue came by his knowledge of agriculture the old-fashioned way: he was born into a farming family in Bonaire, Georgia. From childhood and through his life in business and elected office, Perdue has experienced the industry from every possible perspective. Under Secretary Perdue, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is facts-based and data-driven, with a decision-making mindset that is customer-focused. As the former governor of Georgia, he is a strong believer in good government who will seek solutions to problems and not lament that the agency might be faced with difficult challenges. His four guiding principles are clear: to maximize the ability of American agriculture to create jobs, sell foods and fiber and feed and clothe the world; to prioritize customer service for the taxpayers; to ensure that our food supply is safe and secure; and to maintain good stewardship of the natural resources that provide us with our miraculous bounty. And understanding that we live in a global economy where trade is of top importance, Secretary Perdue has pledged to be an unapologetic advocate for American agriculture.