In a voice vote, the U.S. Senate Thursday night confirmed Jewel Bronaugh to serve as deputy secretary of agriculture, making her the first Black woman to hold the position. Many agricultural groups offered their praise for the confirmation as she brings a wealth of experience to the position.
Bronaugh brings upwards of two decades worth of experience in food and agriculture, serving most recently as the commissioner of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services since 2018. During her career, she has worked on a number of issues, including food access, rural mental health, local and regional food systems and conservation.
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Virginia Department of Agriculture
Pictured in 2019, Jewel Bronaugh visits with TR Jones of Richlands Dairy. Jewel Bronaugh to become first Black woman and woman of color to serve in No. 2 spot at USDA.
In action Thursday evening, the U.S. Senate confirmed Dr. Jewel H. Bronaugh by voice vote to serve as deputy secretary of agriculture at USDA. The action is a historic step of confirming the first African-American woman to serve as deputy secretary at USDA.
In congratulating her on the confirmation, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack notes, “Bronaugh has a long, distinguished career as an educator and champion for farmers and rural communities. Most recently as the 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 C
Statement by Ricardo Salvador, Union of Concerned Scientists Published May 14, 2021
The Senate yesterday confirmed Dr. Jewel Bronaugh as deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Bronaugh’s previous experience as state executive director of the USDA Farm Service Agency in Virginia and commissioner of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, along with her background in agricultural research, make her a strong choice, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS). Bronaugh is the first Black person and first woman of color to serve as USDA deputy secretary.
Below is a statement by Ricardo Salvador, a senior scientist and director of the UCS Food & Environment Program.
WASHINGTON, May 13, 2021 Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack issued the following statement on the confirmation of Dr. Jewel Bronaugh as Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture:
“I am grateful for today’s confirmation of Jewel Bronaugh as Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Dr. Bronaugh’s confirmation is historic, as she will serve as the first Black woman and woman of color to serve as Deputy Secretary. Dr. Bronaugh has a long, distinguished career as an educator and champion for farmers and rural communities. Most recently as 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. As Dean of the College of Agriculture at Virginia State University, Dr. Bronaugh inspired many first-generat