John Rusling Block

John Rusling Block (* February 15, 1935 in Galesburg, Knox County, Illinois ) is a former American politician ( Republican), who belonged to the cabinet of U.S. President Ronald Reagan as Minister of Agriculture.

John block family lived on the land in Illinois; in their household, there was no electricity. He wrote later to the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he made a 1957 its conclusion. After that, he did his military service in the 101st Airborne Division of the U.S. Army and was there at Fort Benning (Georgia ) stationed. After his retirement from the army he was successfully engaged in farming.

Since he could demonstrate expertise in the agricultural sector on the one hand and on the other was known as a staunch Republican, he was appointed by Governor James R. Thompson Minister of Agriculture (Director of Agriculture) of Illinois appointed in 1977. After the Republican victory in the 1980 presidential election, he became Minister of Agriculture in the Federal Government. Block held this position in the Cabinet Reagan from 1981 until his resignation in 1986.

Subsequently, he worked no longer politically, but in the private sector. He was a director of John Deere, the world leader in agricultural technology, and is president of Food Distributors International. The Horatio Alger Award, he was awarded in 1992. Moreover, was involved in global food programs; he also belongs to the Board of Directors of the Friends of the World Food Program to, a non-profit organization that strives for an end to global famine. After all, he is still a consultant firm in Washington.