Sonny Perdue was sworn in as the 31st U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tuesday and officially introduced his new Twitter handle – @SecretarySonny. Welcome to Twitter Secretary Perdue.

After he took the oath of office, Perdue’s first order of business was to address employees at the USDA. “The only legacy that I seek is the only one that any grandparent or parent seeks – to be good stewards, and to hand off our nation, our home, our fields, our forests, and our farms to the next generation in better shape than we found it,” Perdue said. “Making sure that Americans who make their livelihoods in the agriculture industry have the ability to thrive will be one of my top priorities. I am committed to serving the customers of USDA, and I will be an unapologetic advocate for American agriculture.”

As agriculture secretary, Perdue says his decisions will be guided by four main principles:
1. Maximize the ability of America’s agriculture and agribusiness sector to create jobs, to produce and sell the foods and fiber that feed and clothe the world, and to reap the earned reward of their labor. All while removing obstacles giving farmers, ranchers, and producers every opportunity to prosper.
2. Prioritize customer service every day for American taxpayers and consumers.
3. Ensure a safe and secure food supply. Food security is a key component of national security, because hunger and peace do not long coexist.
4. Remember that America’s agricultural bounty comes directly from the land. Perdue’s father’s words still ring true: We’re all stewards of the land, owned or rented, and our responsibility is to leave it better than we found it.

Listen here or watch the USDA video below: Secretary Sonny Perdue addresses USDA