United States Deputy Secretary of Agriculture
Incumbent
Xochitl Torres Small
since July 17, 2023
Xochitl Torres Small, Deputy Secretary (2023–present)

The United States deputy secretary of agriculture is the second-highest-ranking official in the United States Department of Agriculture, appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate.[1] The deputy secretary becomes acting secretary of agriculture in the event of the Secretary's resignation, death, or otherwise inability to fulfill the duties of the position. The deputy secretary performs whatever duties are prescribed to him or her by the secretary of agriculture.[2] The deputy secretary of agriculture is paid at level II of the Executive Schedule.[3]

The position of deputy secretary of agriculture was originally called the under secretary of agriculture, until the title was changed in 1976.[4] Previous Deputy Secretaries by recency include Chuck Conner (September 2005–January 2009),[5] Jim Moseley (August 2001 – April 2005),[6] Richard Rominger (May 1993 – January 2001),[7] Ann Veneman (1991–1993),[8] and Jack Parnell (1989–1991).[9] On July 13, 2017, President Donald Trump announced his intent to nominate Stephen Censky, the CEO of the American Soybean Association, as deputy secretary. Censky was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on October 3, 2017, and served until November, 2020. Jewel H. Bronaugh previously served as the senate-confirmed Deputy Secretary from her confirmation on May 13, 2021 until her departure in March 2023. She was the first African-American to serve as Deputy Secretary. Xochitl Torres Small was nominated by Joe Biden in February 2023, and was confirmed as the deputy secretary in July 2023.

Two deputy secretaries have gone on to head the Department of Agriculture, Ann Veneman and Richard Lyng.

List of deputy secretaries of agriculture

  denotes Acting Deputy Secretary

Parties

  Democratic (7)   Republican (8)

No. Portrait Name State of residence Took office Left office President(s)
1 John Coyle White Texas 1977 December 1977 Jimmy Carter
2 Jim Williams Florida 1979 January 20, 1981
3 Richard Edmund Lyng California 1981 January 1985 Ronald Reagan[10]
4 John R. Norton III Arizona 1985 1986
5 Peter C. Myers Missouri June 4, 1986 1989
6 Jack Parnell Washington April 20, 1989 May 1, 1991 George H. W. Bush
7 Ann Veneman California June 27, 1991 January 20, 1993
8 Richard Rominger California May 12, 1993 January 20, 2001 Bill Clinton
9 Jim Moseley Indiana July 17, 2001[11] April 2005 George W. Bush
10 Charles F. Conner Indiana May 2, 2005 January 20, 2009
11 Kathleen Merrigan Massachusetts April 8, 2009 March 14, 2013 Barack Obama
12 Krysta Harden Georgia July 23, 2013 February 29, 2016
– Michael Scuse Delaware March 1, 2016 January 20, 2017
– Michael Young January 20, 2017 October 10, 2017 Donald Trump
13 Stephen Censky Missouri October 11, 2017 November 8, 2020
14 Jewel H. Bronaugh Virginia May 17, 2021 March 3, 2023 Joe Biden
15 Xochitl Torres Small New Mexico July 17, 2023 Incumbent

References

  1. ^ "US CODE: Title 7,2210. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture; appointment". Retrieved September 25, 2007.
  2. ^ "US CODE: Title 7,2211. Powers and duties of Deputy Secretary of Agriculture". Retrieved September 25, 2007.
  3. ^ "US CODE: Title 5,5313. Positions at level II". Retrieved September 25, 2007.
  4. ^ "US CODE: Title 7,2210. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture; appointment". Retrieved September 25, 2007.
  5. ^ "Deputy Secretary Charles F. Conner Bios". www.usda.gov. Archived from the original on 2007-07-14.
  6. ^ "Moseley, Jim". Retrieved September 25, 2007.
  7. ^ "USDA NEWS\VOL 60 NO. 5\Roundup\Jim Moseley". Retrieved September 25, 2007.
  8. ^ "Secretary of Agriculture Ann M. Veneman". Retrieved September 25, 2007.
  9. ^ "Bush Administration Official to Speak on Campus". Archived from the original on June 20, 2007. Retrieved September 25, 2007.
  10. ^ "Reagan Administration Cabinet Members". Retrieved 2018-10-21.
  11. ^ https://www.upi.com/Archives/1991/06/27/Veneman-takes-No-2-ag-post/9649677995200/
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