Richard Fordyce is also waiting for his time before lawmakers. He has been picked for Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation. It would be his second go-around with USDA, an opportunity he says he is excited about.
“You know, it’s been four years since I’ve been at USDA as the administrator, so you know, I think it’s going to take some time to get in and see how things are different today, and so I don’t really have any planned things on a bucket list other than to do our very best to represent American agriculture, and specifically, farmers and ranchers across the country.”
Farming is in Fordyce’s blood, saying it makes him uniquely qualified for the role.
“I’m a farmer from Northwest Missouri. You know, that’s all I’ve ever wanted to be when I was growing up and wanted to be like my dad and, you know when I went to work last time at USDA. I mean, what a thrill. You know, what a thrill to be a part of some of the programs that we did then. We implemented the 2018 Farm Bill, which, man, that was an insight into an activity that I would have never guessed I would have had the opportunity to do.”
Fordyce will have to be confirmed by the Senate before taking office. So far, his hearing has not been scheduled.