Clifford M. Hardin receiving an honorary degree.

Clifford Hardin's last day with President Richard Nixon, with Martha Hardin standing between them.

          On November 11, 1971, Clifford Hardin stepped down from the position of Secretary of Agriculture and accepted the Vice Chairmanship of Ralston-Purina Company. Ralston-Purina had recently been experiencing changes, and the position of the Vice Chairmanship had been newly created to accommodate the growth and diversification of the company (Baird 1). Essentially, Hardin switched positions with Earl Butz, who succeeded Hardin as Secretary of Agriculture while Hardin remained in contact with the Presidency. The position at Ralston-Purina attracted Hardin due to its dedication to providing food and food systems and the operation of related businesses, not just in the United States but all over the World. Hardin stated that Ralston-Purina, “seems to offer a well-defined framework within which I will be able to continue a personal involvement in the kind of service that interests and challenges me” ("Hardin Submits Resignation From Cabinet to Accept Corporate Position" 2). The company was research-oriented and deeply involved in agriculture along with the vast areas of nutrition and protein utilization.

       At the time of his installment at Ralston-Purina, Hardin had received honorary degrees from the National University of Colombia, Purdue University, Creighton University, Michigan State University, and North Dakota State University. He was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Rockefeller Foundation, a director of the Overseas Development Council and a member of the Advisory Committee, Institute of Food Sciences, Texas Tech University (Rousseau, "What Next in 1972-1973..." ). In 1973, the 1970 Farm Act was being extended. The Act now included amendments for four years, a new permanent conservation and pollution abatement program for rural America, along with other provisions relating to agriculture, agriculture trade, and commodity and food prices (H. C. Agriculture, "1973 Farm Act Summary of Provisions.").



Sources

     Agriculture, House Committee on. "1973 Farm Act Summary of Provisions." Summary. 1973. Print.

     Baird, John P. Office of the Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel. St. Louis: HP, ASCUNL, 25 October 1971. Print.

     "Hardin Submits Resignation From Cabinet to Accept Corporate Position." News: Office of the Secretary of Agriculture 11 November 1971: 2. Print.

     Rousseau, J.L.G. "What Next in 1972-1973..." Presenting...Clifford M. Hardin November/December 1972: 2;4. Print.