President-elect Joe Biden announces he will nominate Dr. Jewel Bronaugh to serve as Deputy Secretary of Agriculture.
Dr. Jewel (Hairston) Bronaugh, the former Virginia State University (VSU) Dean of the College of Agriculture, is one of five women nominated by the Biden Administration to serve in the number two spot as Deputy Secretary at key Cabinet agencies.
Dr. Bronaugh began her career at VSU in 2001.
She is the former Executive Director of VSU’s Center for Agricultural Research, Engagement and Outreach (CAREO).
Prior to that position, she served as Dean of VSU’s College of Agriculture for 5 years and as the Associate Administrator of Cooperative Extension.
She also served as State Executive Director of the USDA Farm Service Agency.
“AFBF congratulates Dr. Jewel Bronaugh on her nomination to serve as USDA Deputy Secretary," says American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall. "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. 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.
Duvall says Dr. Bronaugh’s nomination, as well as the nomination of Tom Vilsack for Secretary of Agriculture, shows President-elect Biden is carefully considering the challenges facing our nation’s ag community.
"We look forward to working with the new leadership at USDA to ensure American agriculture continues to lead the world in growing safe, affordable food," says Duvall.
Virginia Farm Bureau President Wayne F. Pryor says the Virginia Farm Bureau is proud to see Dr. Bronaugh nominated as USDA Deputy Secretary.
"The Commonwealth has been fortunate to benefit from Dr. Bronaugh’s leadership as VDACS Commissioner, State FSA Executive Director, and her roles at Virginia State University," says Pryor. "She has done much to promote agriculture and address the many issues facing farm families and rural Virginia. Dr. Bronaugh will carry on this work in her new leadership role in Washington, D.C., and we support her swift confirmation.”
