U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack issued a statement Jan. 26 announcing the departure of deputy agriculture secretary Jewel Bronaugh from the department.
"Deputy secretary Bronaugh has accomplished a lot during her tenure at USDA and much of her work will be felt well into the future," he said in the statement, which was posted on the USDA's website.
“Today deputy secretary Dr. Jewel Bronaugh announced that she is leaving the Department of Agriculture in the weeks ahead to spend more time with her family," Vilsack added. "Her service, presence and leadership will be sorely missed. She has been an incredible partner over the last two years, and she has been instrumental in helping the department seize opportunity and address a host of challenges. We are all deeply grateful for her service.”
Vilsack added that Bronaugh served “with passion, energy and a steady hand, she’s served as co-chair of USDA’s first-ever Equity Commission, an independent body that will provide recommendations for how USDA and Congress can take action to remove systemic inequities and reduce barriers that hamper access to USDA programs and policies. The goal is equitable access and opportunity for all farmers, ranchers, forest landowners and all Americans."
Vilsack noted Bronaugh was a trailblazer for others to follow.
"Through her work and leadership, Dr. Bronaugh has set a powerful example for the next generation of agriculture leadership," he said. "She’s broken glass ceilings as the first African American and person of color to ever serve in her role at USDA and made history while inspiring many more, especially young people, to serve in the future, within USDA and throughout the food and agricultural sector.
"The department, all those who we serve, and I personally have greatly benefited from her service, knowledge and commitment to USDA’s mission, and very much respect her decision to put family first," Vilsack concluded.
