During his first visit to Iowa as Secretary of Agriculture, Sonny Perdue made his support for renewable energy and ethanol perfectly clear.

“Do you know who I work for?,” the Secretary asked the local FFA officer who wanted to make sure he supported renewable energy. “I work for a fellow by the name of Donald J. Trump. Did you hear what he said during the campaign? Renewable energy, ethanol is here to stay…you have nothing to worry about.”

Listen here: Sec. Perdue ethanol question in Iowa

Secretary Perdue visited Couser Cattle Company in Nevada, Iowa where he was welcomed by Bill, Nancy and Tim Couser, as well as Iowa Senators Joni Erst and Chuck Grassley, and Rep. Steve King. Looking comfortable in worn jeans, Perdue related that he calmed Sen. Grassley’s concerns about him as secretary when he told him, “I got 12 grain elevators, all we do is corn, wheat and beans and we sell to an ethanol plant.”

Couser, who is co-founder of Lincolnway Energy ethanol plant in Nevada, presented Perdue with his custom made corn products display, as well as a Don’t Mess with the RFS button from the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association.

Perdue held a round table discussion with Iowa biofuels and agricultural leaders and answered questions during a town hall event, all held on the Couser operation. During his visit to Iowa, Perdue also met with current Governor and soon to be Ambassador Terry Branstad, and incoming governor Kim Reynolds.

Check out USDA’s photo albums on Flickr. Watch the Facebook Live video on Iowa Agribusiness Radio. Download audio of Perdue’s introduction and remarks here: Sec. Perdue visit to Iowa