Bergland was born near Roseau, Minnesota, the son of Mabel (Evans) and Selmer Bennett Bergland, a garage mechanic.[1][2] He studied agriculture at the University of Minnesota in a two-year program.[3] A farmer, he became an official of the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service for the Department of Agriculture from 1963 to 1968.[4][3]
On January 22, 1977, Bergland resigned from the House shortly after the beginning of a new term, and was appointed by PresidentJimmy Carter as Secretary of Agriculture and served from January 23, 1977, until January 20, 1981.[6]
A minor but much-celebrated struggle between the United States Department of Agriculture and the General Services Administration occurred during his tenure, resulting in the ironic dedication of the USDA executive cafeteria in honor of Alferd Packer in order to shame the General Services Administration into terminating the Nixon-era cafeteria services contract.[4][7]
Post-Agricultural career
Following the end of the Carter administration in 1981, Bergland became the chairman of Farmland World Trade until 1982, when he became the vice president and general manager of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.[1] In the latter capacity, Bergland lobbied both Congress and the regulatory agencies on behalf of the Cooperative's electricity business.[3]
He married Helen Elaine Grahn in 1950.[10] They had seven children.[10] Bergland died on December 9, 2018, at a nursing home in Roseau at the age of 90.[1][11]
References
^ abcd"Bob Bergland, Agriculture Secretary Under Carter, Dies at 90". The New York Times. December 9, 2018.
^"Former U.S. ag secretary and Minnesota Democrat Bob Bergland dies at 90 in Roseau". Star Tribune. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
^ abc"Robert Bergland (1977–1981)". Miller Center. Retrieved December 9, 2018.
^ abcKing, Seth S. (May 14, 1978). "Carter's Farm". The New York Times.
robert, bergland, robert, selmer, bergland, july, 1928, december, 2018, american, politician, served, member, house, representatives, from, minnesota, congressional, district, from, 1971, 1977, served, united, states, secretary, agriculture, from, 1977, until,. Robert Selmer Bergland July 22 1928 December 9 2018 was an American politician He served as a member of the House of Representatives from Minnesota s 7th congressional district from 1971 to 1977 and he served as United States Secretary of Agriculture from 1977 until 1981 during the Carter administration Bob Bergland20th United States Secretary of AgricultureIn office January 23 1977 January 20 1981PresidentJimmy CarterPreceded byJohn KnebelSucceeded byJohn BlockMember of the U S House of Representatives from Minnesota s 7th districtIn office January 3 1971 January 22 1977Preceded byOdin LangenSucceeded byArlan StangelandPersonal detailsBornRobert Selmer Bergland 1928 07 22 July 22 1928Roseau Minnesota U S DiedDecember 9 2018 2018 12 09 aged 90 Roseau Minnesota U S Political partyDemocraticSpouseHelen Grahn m 1950 wbr Children7EducationUniversity of Minnesota Twin Cities Contents 1 Early life 2 Career 2 1 U S Representative from Minnesota 2 2 U S Secretary of Agriculture 2 3 Post Agricultural career 3 Personal life 4 References 5 External linksEarly life EditBergland was born near Roseau Minnesota the son of Mabel Evans and Selmer Bennett Bergland a garage mechanic 1 2 He studied agriculture at the University of Minnesota in a two year program 3 A farmer he became an official of the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service for the Department of Agriculture from 1963 to 1968 4 3 Career EditU S Representative from Minnesota Edit Bergland was a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1971 to 1977 as a member of the Democratic Farmer Labor Party entering the House by defeating U S Republican incumbent Odin Langen in 1970 1 5 He was elected to the 92nd 93rd 94th and 95th Congresses 6 In Congress he served on the House Committee on Agriculture s subcommittees for Conservation and Credit and Livestock Grains Dairy and Poultry 6 U S Secretary of Agriculture Edit On January 22 1977 Bergland resigned from the House shortly after the beginning of a new term and was appointed by President Jimmy Carter as Secretary of Agriculture and served from January 23 1977 until January 20 1981 6 A minor but much celebrated struggle between the United States Department of Agriculture and the General Services Administration occurred during his tenure resulting in the ironic dedication of the USDA executive cafeteria in honor of Alferd Packer in order to shame the General Services Administration into terminating the Nixon era cafeteria services contract 4 7 Post Agricultural career Edit Following the end of the Carter administration in 1981 Bergland became the chairman of Farmland World Trade until 1982 when he became the vice president and general manager of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association 1 In the latter capacity Bergland lobbied both Congress and the regulatory agencies on behalf of the Cooperative s electricity business 3 After retiring in 1994 Bergland was elected by the Minnesota State Legislature to a term on the University of Minnesota Board of Regents 8 Bergland retired after the one term and owned a 600 acre 2 4 km2 farm in Minnesota 9 4 Personal life EditHe married Helen Elaine Grahn in 1950 10 They had seven children 10 Bergland died on December 9 2018 at a nursing home in Roseau at the age of 90 1 11 References Edit a b c d Bob Bergland Agriculture Secretary Under Carter Dies at 90 The New York Times December 9 2018 Former U S ag secretary and Minnesota Democrat Bob Bergland dies at 90 in Roseau Star Tribune Retrieved December 10 2018 a b c Robert Bergland 1977 1981 Miller Center Retrieved December 9 2018 a b c King Seth S May 14 1978 Carter s Farm The New York Times Tuesday January 11 1977 Page 1 newspaperarchive com The Daily Journal Fergus Falls Retrieved December 9 2018 a b c Bergland Robert Selmer US House of Representatives History Art and Archives Retrieved February 2 2018 Plaque to Cannibal Won t Return The New York Times August 13 1977 Retrieved December 9 2018 Interview with Robert Bergland Conservancy Retrieved December 9 2018 Bob Bergland CFANS Retrieved December 9 2018 a b Robbins William December 21 1976 Robert Selmer Bergland The New York Times Robert S Bob Bergland obituary Helgeson Funeral Home External links EditUnited States Congress Robert Bergland id B000408 Biographical Directory of the United States Congress Bob Bergland Papers including extensive records of his congressional service are available for research use at the Minnesota Historical Society Robert Selmer Bergland Collection National Agricultural Library includes pressing clippings and a photograph album Appearances on C SPANU S House of RepresentativesPreceded byOdin Langen Member of the U S House of Representativesfrom Minnesota s 7th congressional district1971 1977 Succeeded byArlan StangelandPolitical officesPreceded byJohn Knebel United States Secretary of Agriculture1977 1981 Succeeded byJohn Block Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Robert Bergland amp oldid 1169207194, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
