Arlington, Virginia, United States

NASDA congratulates Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Dr. Jewel Bronaugh on her nomination to U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary.

“President-Elect Joe Biden made an excellent choice when selecting Commissioner Bronaugh for USDA Deputy Secretary,” said NASDA CEO Dr. Barb Glenn. “As a NASDA member, Commissioner Bronaugh brings unmatched expertise on how agricultural and food policies work at the farm and community level.”

“President-Elect Biden’s choice of Commissioner Jewel Bronaugh is a good sign for developing a working relationship between NASDA and USDA,” said NASDA President Dr. Ryan Quarles. “I know Commissioner Bronaugh will work hard on behalf of the American people and I look forward to identifying areas of common ground as we advocate for farm families across the nation.”

Bronaugh pioneered the development of mental health services for farmers in her state and across the U.S., establishing the Farmer Stress Task Force in 2019 and serving as NASDA’s Rural Development & Financial Security Committee chair over the past year.

“Commissioner Bronaugh’s work to provide mental health resources for farmers has proved incredibly important. Protecting the health and wellbeing of farmers has always been imperative, and the need for mental health services has only grown in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Glenn said.

In addition, NASDA appreciates the unique perspective Commissioner Bronaugh will bring to USDA.

Regarding COVID-19, Commissioner Bronaugh has championed her own state’s response to the pandemic and has worked in lockstep with state agriculture departments across the country to ensure rural America has a strong recovery from the pandemic.

In addition, “We’re thankful for Commissioner Bronaugh’s leadership in the development of NASDA’s diversity, inclusion and racial equity policy, and we look forward to continuing her work,” Glenn said.

NASDA thanks President-Elect Biden for selecting Commissioner Bronaugh for this honorable position and for recognizing state department of agriculture leaders as important and informed voices on agriculture policy and regulation.

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NASDA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit association which represents the elected and appointed commissioners, secretaries and directors of the departments of agriculture in all fifty states and four U.S. territories. NASDA grows and enhances American agriculture through policy, partnerships and public engagement. To learn more about NASDA, please visit www.nasda.org.

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