Most farm broadcasters think about the Secretaries of Agriculture they’ve talked to. Max’s first was Earl Butz, the secretary for Richard Nixon. Butz even called Max out on dying his hair. Another favorite secretary was John Block, who was the only actual farmer to serve in the role. Max also remembers Dan Glickman, who wrote a book about humor in politics. Max will long remember Ann Venneman, as she sent him a personal note after his mother passed.

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Max Armstrong's Farm Progress America is a daily look at key issues in agriculture. It is produced and presented by Max Armstrong, veteran farm broadcaster and host of This Week in Agribusiness.