On Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue rang the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). On the podium, Perdue was joined by members of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA), the National Pork Producers Council, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Assn., the president of the American Farm Bureau Federation, National FFA students and representatives from New York, and four farmers he met while traveling across the nation.

“The farmers, ranchers, foresters and agricultural producers across America contribute a great deal to the American economy,” Perdue said. “I’m pleased to be here today, at the center of our economic activity, with all these people that I’ve met across the country to celebrate the bounty of the American harvest. I thank the New York Stock Exchange for the opportunity.”

NASDA president and New Mexico agriculture secretary Jeff Witte, along with NASDA chief executive officer Dr. Barbara P. Glenn, attended the event. Witte underscored the importance of the domestic and international marketplace to agriculture’s bottom line.

“For us, being here at the world’s largest stock exchange is a time to appreciate the role farmers and ranchers play not only in economic development and job creation across the agriculture and food sectors but also the broader economic health of the United States,” Witte said. “We thank Secretary Perdue for the invitation and for our shared relationship and mutual support with the U.S. Department of Agriculture for the viability of this critical sector of the American economy.”

Related:Japan, U.S. launch trade talks

Renewable Fuels Assn. (RFA) executive vice president Geoff Cooper said he felt honored and privileged to join Perdue at the event on behalf of ethanol producers.

“The event was a poignant reminder that agriculture truly is the backbone of our nation’s economy, and America’s farm families play a pivotal role in feeding and fueling our communities. We greatly appreciate Secretary Perdue’s leadership and vision on a host of economic issues important to rural America,” Cooper said.

He added that RFA is especially grateful for Perdue's efforts to strengthen the Renewable Fuel Standard and secure regulatory changes that allow for the year-round sale E15 and higher ethanol blends. “Both actions would increase demand for agricultural commodities and stimulate economic growth in rural America. We look forward to continuing to work with Secretary Perdue and his outstanding team at USDA to expand value-added opportunities for America’s farmers and grow demand for American-made renewable fuels.”