Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party Chairman Ken Martin today released the following statement in honor of the passing of former Minnesota Congressman and United States Secretary of Agriculture Bob Bergland.
“A resident and native of Roseau, Minnesota, Bob Bergland was a champion of American farmers and consumers. Growing up poor in the farmlands of Western Minnesota, Bob understood the difficulties and obstacles that face family farmers as well as anyone. Secretary Bergland dedicated his life to elevating the standard of living for hard-working family famers while at the same time safeguarding the interests of American consumers. My thoughts and prayers are with the Bergland family during this time of loss.”
Bob Bergland was born in Roseau, Minnesota, and studied agriculture at the University of Minnesota. After serving the in Department of Agriculture, he represented Minnesota’s Seventh Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1971-1977. He then served as President Jimmy Carter’s Secretary of Agriculture from 1977 – 1981.