Letter
Dear Senators Stabenow and Boozman:
We write to you in strong support of President Biden’s nomination of Jewel Bronaugh, PhD to serve as Deputy Secretary of Agriculture and ask that you quickly approve her nomination. As leaders of the nation’s food and agricultural organizations, we work closely with the senior leadership of the U.S. Department of Agriculture in support of efficient and effective administration of food and agricultural programs and have consistently advocated for the appointment of highly qualified candidates to serve in these critical positions.
Dr. Bronaugh has spent her entire career in agriculture. In Dr. Bronaugh’s service as a Cooperative Extension Specialist, university dean, USDA-FSA State Executive Director, and most recently as the 16th Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, she has committed herself to fair and equitable administration of the laws and policies within her areas of responsibility. Noting Dr. Bronaugh’s exceptional passion and perspective, we are confident that she will provide outstanding leadership in service to our nation as USDA’s Deputy Secretary.
Our nation is facing considerable challenges with regard to pandemic response, failing infrastructure, climate, diversity and inclusion, trade, immigration, and many others. The USDA needs knowledgeable and experienced leaders at the helm to navigate through these challenges and to implement bipartisan solutions. We are grateful that President Biden has moved quickly to fill these senior positions with people of Dr. Bronaugh’s caliber and ask that the Senate do likewise.
Sincerely,
Almond Alliance of California
American Farm Bureau Federation
American Feed Industry Association
American Fruit and Vegetable Processors and Growers Coalition
American Seed Trade Association
American Sesame Growers Association
American Soybean Association
Animal Health Institute
Association of Virginia Potato and Vegetable Growers, Inc.
Biotechnology Innovation Organization
California Farm Bureau Federation
California Grain and Feed Association
CoBank
Consumer Brands Association
Corn Refiners Association
CropLife America
Dairy Business Association
FMI Food Industry Association
Fresh Produce Association of the Americas
Global Cold Chain Alliance
Institute of Shortening and Edible Oils
Leather and Hide Council of America
Meat Import Council of America
Michigan Agri-Business Association
National Association of State Departments of Agriculture
National Association of Wheat Growers
National Corn Growers Association
National Cotton Council
National Council of Farmer Cooperatives
National Farmers Union
National Fisheries Institute
National Grain and Feed Association
National Milk Producers Federation
National Oilseed Processors Association
National Pork Producers Council
National Potato Council
National Sorghum Producers
National Turkey Federation
Nebraska Grain and Feed Association
North American Meat Institute North American Millers’ Association
North American Renderers Association
North Carolina Potato Association
Ohio AgriBusiness Association
Organic Trade Association
Potato Growers of Michigan, Inc.
Produce Marketing Association
Sweetener Users Association
The Hardwood Federation
U.S. Apple Association
U.S. Dairy Export Council
U.S. Grains Council
United Fresh Produce Association
USA Rice
Vote Hemp
Washington State Potato Commission
WineAmerica
Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association
