WASHINGTON, D.C. – The number two person of the USDA announced today,she is stepping away from her role as the Deputy Secretary in the coming weeks. Citing a desire to have more time with family, USDA Deputy Secretary Jewel Bronaugh released a statement on her decision.
“It is with mixed emotions that today I am announcing that I will step away from my role as Deputy Secretary in the coming weeks so I can spend more time with my family,” said Bronaugh.
“Serving in the Biden-Harris Administration and having the opportunity to make history alongside Secretary Vilsack has truly been the greatest honor of my professional career. I continue to be in awe of all we have accomplished during these first two years,” Bronaugh added. “I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished at USDA and understand there is more work to be done to continue to uplift American agriculture and our rural communities.”
She continued in saying, “To the people we serve, it is important that you know USDA’s commitment to becoming an agency that ensures all Americans have equitable access to USDA programs and services is truly sincere. I am the first one to admit the work to build and maintain trust among all we serve is no easy task. However, I have seen first-hand the intentional work being done each day to set USDA on a new and more inclusive path forward, working in close partnership with you and your local communities. We count on you to hold us accountable, and I know the USDA workforce looks forward to continuing to work alongside you for years to come.
USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack just minutes later released a statement regarding the announcement.
“Deputy Secretary Bronaugh has accomplished a lot during her tenure at USDA and much of her work will be felt well into the future. She has been instrumental in advancing equity and opportunity, strengthening the international trade relationships that benefit our domestic producers, enhancing food assistance programs to help those in need, and increasing engagement in innovation and research key to expanding sustainable agriculture practices,” said Vilsack.
Bronaugh was confirmed as the Deputy Secretary on May 13, 2021 and was the first woman of color to serve the role. She helped launch USDA’s first-ever Equity Commission, which she co-chaired. She also led trade missions to the United Kingdom, East Africa and other nations. Prior to her time with the USDA, Bronaugh was the 16th Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. She worked to expand opportunities for small and midsized farmers and ranchers to obtain infrastructure and processing capabilities, and developed strategies to meet environmental and water quality goals for the Chesapeake Bay.
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented on the announcement. “We’ve enjoyed working with Deputy Secretary Bronaugh for the last two years of her tenure at USDA and we thank her for her service to America’s farmers and ranchers. She has long been someone who understands the needs of farmers and rural communities, and we’ve appreciated her leadership. We wish her all the best in her future endeavors.”
Looking forward, no indications were made from the USDA of what the next step will be to fill the open position.
