Will Sonny Perdue, Trump's agriculture pick, stand up for the little guy? Don't bank on it

In November, America's beleaguered rural citizens voted against the status quo - but that's exactly what Trump's new agriculture secretary looks set to ensure

Donald Trump owes his election in no small part to the support of farm country. But since entering office, almost all his actions and pronouncements have betrayed an abysmal understanding of farm and rural concerns. No surprise, then, that food and farm advocates have looked eagerly to Sonny Perdue, who was sworn in as agriculture secretary on Tuesday, to educate and temper the president on their issues.

The new secretary has his work cut out for him. The president unveiled a budget blueprint last month that slashed funding for the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) by 21%.

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