On a day when he moderated a conversation between seven former Secretaries of Agriculture, speculation swirled that former Rep. Charlie Stenholm would be the next person to lead the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Stenholm’s primary role was to ask questions of the six who attended in person and one who appeared by video at the Farm Foundation’s Food and Agriculture Summit in Washington, D.C. today.

Afterwards, I turned the tables on him by getting in a few questions of my own, including whether he was being considered to serve in Pres.-elect Barack Obama’s Cabinet.

“I’ve heard the same rumors you’ve heard. I’m quite honored that so many people believe I would be qualified for that job, but, no, I have not had any conversations with any of the people making that decision.”

But Stenholm did not rule out the possibility he would serve as Ag Secretary should Obama ask.

“I’m not running for it, [but] obviously if the President of the United States called and said ‘Charlie I’ve looked at your record of 26 years on the House Ag Committee and I believe you’re the man to serve me’ it would be very hard, in fact, impossible, to say no.”

Stenholm says he is looking forward to working with whomever the next chief of USDA would be.

You can hear my entire conversation with Stenholm, including his comments on the importance of the forum held today, by clicking here: Stenholm1.mp3

Download the audio here. (mp3)