President-elect Joe Biden has nominated Dr. Jewel H. Bronaugh for the position of Deputy Secretary of Agriculture.
Bronaugh was appointed the 16th Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in 2018 and has also served as the Virginia State Executive Director for the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA). Before being appointed to the FSA, she served as Dean of the College of Agriculture at Virginia State University with oversight of Extension, Research and Academic Programs.
Dr. Jewel H. Bronaugh
She is credited with launching the Virginia Farmer Stress Task Force in 2019, which is aimed at raising awareness and reducing farmer stress and mental health challenges. This past fall, she also helped set up the Virginia Food Access Investment Fund to help increase food access within marginalized communities. She will be the first women of color to serve as Deputy Secretary of Agriculture.
Last month, Biden announced the nomination of Tom Vilsack as Secretary of Agriculture.