Mike Johanns will soon be sitting for his official photograph that will be hanging on the walls of Farm Service Agency offices nationwide. As the 28^th Secretary of Agriculture, he will join the ranks of John Block, Henry Wallace, Earl Butz, and many other lesser-known individuals who have presided over one of the larger departments of US government.

Johanns, nominated by President George Bush on Thursday to lead the Agriculture Department, had not previously appeared on any widely circulated list of potential candidates to succeed Ann Veneman. However, he quickly received endorsements from the American Farm Bureau, Farmers Union, National Corn Growers, and the American Soybean Association, among others. So who is Mike Johanns?

Johanns is the current Governor of Nebraska and former contemporary of President Bush when they briefly overlapped as state governors. However, being born and raised on an Iowa dairy farm provides enough manure on his boots to initially satisfy farm organization leaders who continually lobby for a USDA leader to have cursory knowledge of row crops, livestock, and farm programs.

However, the Secretary-designate apparently has significantly more experience in agriculture than many farm state governors. A member of the NCGA Board of Directors from Nebraska says Johanns has lead agriculture and business trade missions to the Far East and South America. Bob Dickey of Laurel, Neb., says his governor "is a true advocate of US farmers and a person who has an intimate understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing farmers.

The National Corn Growers Association, which has been the primary lobbying force behind ethanol for over two decades, also said Mike Johanns has placed emphasis on value-added agriculture, especially ethanol. The American Soybean Association supported that motion by saying Johanns "has a strong record on trade promotion and has been a tireless proponent of biofuels in Nebraska."

The biofuels issue was also mentioned by the President in introducing Johanns to the media on Thursday when he said, "He's a strong proponent of alternative energy sources, such as ethanol and biodiesel." Apparently, the second Bush term may see significant extensive focus on the use of renewable fuels in US energy policy, with the help of Johanns who chaired the Governor's Conference ethanol committee.

The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) took note of Johanns' familiarity of the sometimes contentious issue of biotechnology and the controversial homeland security measures to protect the nation's food supply. However, AFBF says Johanns has "consistently demonstrated his commitment to promoting rural economic development by providing incentives for business growth and job creation in rural and urban areas of Nebraska, with an emphasis on value added agriculture.

While the National Farmers Union (NFU) also extended its congratulations, its message was decidedly more challenging. NFU President Dave Frederickson said Johanns "can certainly understand the economic hardships agriculture producers from across the country face." Frederickson added, "We hope he will stand beside rural American through several serous challenges that must be addressed such as: proposed agricultural budget cuts, the energy crisis, trade agreements, country of origin food labeling re-establishing beef trade with Japan and South Korea, the Canadian border issue, re-authorizing dairy programs and a permanent fix for natural disaster aid."

As long as he blends the opportunities with the challenges, Mike Johanns should take good care of US agriculture. Of course, he has to pass muster during Senate confirmation hearings, but it seems he has already passed muster from some of his greatest potential critics.