Pa. agriculture secretary leaves, aide to succeed him

Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff is stepping down after 61/2 years leading the agency. Gov. Rendell said yesterday that he would nominate Executive Deputy Secretary Russell Redding to head the department.

Redding has worked in the Department of Agriculture since 1995, and run its day-to-day operations since 2003. Redding's nomination must be approved by the Senate.

Wolff, whose resignation is effective Sept. 15, is credited with improving food safety, expanding markets for the state's farm products, and fighting successfully for legislation to protect farmers from "nuisance" lawsuits and to toughen restrictions on commercial dog kennels.

Wolff, one of the last remaining members of Rendell's first-term cabinet, said he planned to pursue opportunities in agriculture in the private sector. - Amy Worden