Minnesota Governor-elect Tim Walz has named Thom Petersen as the state’s new Agriculture Commissioner. Petersen has been serving as Government Relations Director for the Minnesota Farmers Union for the past sixteen years. Farmers Union President Gary Wertish hates to see him leave but says it’s very positive for the state’s farmers and ranchers and for his organization.
He says the Governor-elect made the right choice picking someone who works well with both Republicans and Democrats.
Wertish says Petersen starts his new job on Monday. In the meantime, Farmers Union will fill the Government Relations job internally until they decide on a replacement.
Petersen replaces Dave Frederickson as Ag Commissioner. Frederickson also came to the job from the Farmers Union serving as president at both the state and national levels.
