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Biden Names Nominee 01/19 08:17
Jewel Bronaugh Has History in Extension Services, FSA in Virginia
Jewel Bronaugh holds a doctorate in career and technical education from
Virginia Tech University. She would bring to USDA an extensive career working
with Extension programs and has served as a 4-H Extension specialist. If
confirmed, Bronaugh would serve as Vilsack's second in command at USDA.
Bronaugh would also be the first Black woman to serve as USDA deputy secretary.
Chris Clayton
DTN Ag Policy Editor
OMAHA (DTN) -- President-elect Joe Biden on Monday nominated Virginia
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Jewel Bronaugh as
deputy secretary of USDA.
Bronaugh, who holds a doctorate in career and technical education from
Virginia Tech University, brings to USDA an extensive career working with
Extension programs and has served as a 4-H Extension specialist. If confirmed,
Bronaugh would serve as Vilsack's second in command at USDA in the Biden
administration. Bronaugh would also be the first Black woman to serve as USDA
deputy secretary.
"She is passionate about the advancement of youth leadership in
agriculture," the Biden transition team stated.
Bronaugh has served as commissioner for the Virginia Department of
Agriculture and Consumer Services since May 2018 but had previously served as
Virginia's state executive director for the USDA Farm Service Agency, appointed
by then USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack in 2015. Before leading Virginia's FSA
offices, Bronaugh was dean of the College of Agriculture at Virginia State
University (VSU) and oversaw extension, research and academic programs.
On Twitter, Bronaugh stated, "Thank you everyone for the well wishes. And,
thank you @PresElectBiden for the opportunity to promote U.S. agriculture,
helping to end hunger in the U.S. and abroad and preserving our Nation's
natural resources. @transition46 @KamalaHarris"
Biden's transition team highlighted that Bronaugh launched the Virginia
Farmer Stress Task Force with agricultural and health groups and agencies "to
raise awareness and coordinate resources to address farmer stress and mental
health challenges in Virginia." Last fall, Bronaugh also helped create the
Virginia Food Access Investment Fund, a program to address food-access issues
within historically marginalized communities, the transition team noted.
Zippy Duvall, president of the American Farm Bureau Federation,
congratulated Bronaugh on her nomination.
"Dr. Bronaugh's work as Virginia's Agriculture commissioner and her previous
experience as state director of USDA's Farm Service Agency have established her
as someone who understands the needs of America's farmers and ranchers," Duvall
said. "We also appreciate the work she has done to address mental health issues
in rural communities -- a priority we hope she continues to pursue at the
federal level."
Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., the ranking Democrat on the Senate
Agriculture Committee, said, "Dr. Bronaugh's background in farm services,
research, and extension will bring a breadth of knowledge and experience to the
Department," Stabenow said. "As the first woman of color to serve in this
position, she will be an important voice as the Biden Administration works to
address the many challenges facing our farmers, families, and rural
communities. I look forward to learning more about her plans and priorities
during the confirmation process."
While some Biden nominees will have confirmation hearings Tuesday, the
Senate Agriculture Committee has not scheduled a hearing for Vilsack so far.
Both Vilsack and Bronaugh will need to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
Bronaugh was one of five women nominated by Biden on Monday to serve as
deputies in Cabinet posts. Other deputy nominees were named for the departments
of Transportation, Health and Human Services, Interior and Education.
Progressives had criticized Vilsack's nomination to return as USDA secretary
and called for Biden to nominate a woman of color as his deputy. Former USDA
Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan noted on Twitter of Bronaugh's nomination,
"Of the 15 major cabinet departments at start of Obama, I was one of only two
female deputy secretaries, by law the COOs of the departments. Today Pres-elect
Biden nominates five women for deputy, including @VaAgComm Dr. Jewel Bronaugh
for USDA. Oh happy #MLKDay!"
Bronaugh will replace Steve Censky as deputy secretary. Censky left USDA in
November to return to his former job as CEO of the American Soybean Association.
Chris Clayton can be reached at Chris.Clayton@dtn.com
Follow him on Twitter @ChrisClaytonDTN
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