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Trump nominates Barbic for USDA post

President Trump has nominated Kenneth Barbic as USDA Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations.

Barbic has been with Western Growers, a company that supports family farmers growing produce in Arizona, California, Colorado and New Mexico, since 2009.

Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue says Barbic will bring knowledge, insight, and experience to the USDA.

The California native, who also worked as deputy assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Congressional Affairs, started his career in Washington with the House Ways and Means committee.

Perdue says although he is excited about the nomination, there are still two other nominations that need to be approved. He says he’d like to see the Senate take up the nominations of Barbic, Bill Northey and Stephen Vaden right away. Northey is awaiting Senate confirmation as USDA undersecretary for farm production and conservation and Stephen Vaden is nominated for USDA’s General Counsel.