news_strain

‘Political Swords Back Into Plowshares’
Strain vows to work with Odom to ease transition

By MICHAEL DANNA
Farm Bureau News Staff Writer

BATON ROUGE – A day after long-time Ag Commissioner Bob Odom announced his
retirement, incoming commissioner-elect Dr. Mike Strain said he would work with Odom’s
department and its staffers to ensure an orderly exchange of powers.

“We’re going to beat the political swords back into
plowshares,” Strain said at Odom’s Oct. 25 press
conference. “In the next two weeks we’re going to
begin an orderly and a progressive transition.”

Strain thanked Odom and his wife Millie for their
years of service. He also thanked the various
divisions of the Department of Agriculture and
Forestry.

“I look forward to working with you in the transition
and in the years to come,” he said. Strain, a
member of the Louisiana House of
Representatives and a large animal vet
from Covington, ran a close second to Odom
following the Oct. 20 primary. The vote totals
had Odom between 42 and 43 percent, with
Strain netting just over 41 percent.

After the press conference Strain told reporters
he’ll “take a few days off and spend them at the
farm with my family,” adding after that he’ll be ready
to get to work.

“The budget has to be submitted by Nov. 1,
so when we come back we’re going to be immersed
in the budget,” he said.

Strain said he was somewhat surprised that Odom bowed out of the race, saying the money
needed to compete in the runoff would have likely topped $1 million each.

“It would have been a very arduous campaign for another three weeks,” Strain said. “When
you look at that, and the fact that the vote totals were what they were, I think what happened
today was the best for everyone. I think Mr. Odom is very comfortable with the fact that I will
come in and take over this department. A lot of things just fell into place to bring us to where
we are today.”

Thursday’s press conference was marked with a morning filled with emotion, not only for the
Odom family, who stood by his side during his retirement address, but for the hundreds of
employees who work at the Department of Agriculture and Forestry. Many wiped away tears
during Odom’s brief address and it was obvious many had been crying earlier in the day.

Odom, 72, told the crowd he was most proud of his “pride and dedication” in service to
agriculture over the last 28 years.

“I’ll retire knowing I’ve done the best job possible for the agriculture industry and this state,”
Odom said.

Dave Foster, who heads the livestock marketing division, said Odom’s tenure was one best
described as effective.

“This department is like a big ship that’s got to stay afloat,” Foster said. “Mr. Odom captained
the ship while making sure all the people and parts worked together. The farmers and
ranchers of this state were no doubt the beneficiaries of that work.”

Odom will remain commissioner until Jan. 14, 2008, when all newly elected statewide officials
will be sworn in.