Ag groups support deputy USDA secretary nominee

Mar 24, 2023

President Biden nominated Xochitl Torres Small for the position in February

By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com

Multiple U.S. ag industry organizations support President Biden’s nominee to be the next deputy secretary of the USDA.

Fifty groups signed a letter to Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow and Ranking Member John Boozman to advocate for Xochil Torres Small to be the next person in that position.

“Her dedication to public service and skilled administration of the USDA’s Rural Development mission makes her uniquely qualified for the role of Deputy Secretary of Agriculture,” says the letter, signed by organizations including the American Farm Bureau, U.S. Cattlemen’s Association and the National Pork Producers Council.

In February, the president nominated Xochil Torres Small, the current under secretary of rural development, to replace Jewel Bronaugh as USDA deputy secretary.

Torres Small’s nomination came after Bronaugh’s January resignation to spend more time with her family.

In her role as under secretary of rural development, Torres Small oversees loans and grants. Under her leadership, USDA Rural Development secured $2 billion to support rural broadband.

With the Farm Bill up for renewal, Torres Small can be a useful resource in ensuring farmers and rural communities are supported, the groups said.

“We strongly urge the Committee to quickly advance Under Secretary Torres Small’s nomination so she can continue her important work in this expanded capacity, particularly as the Farm Bill reauthorization process is underway,” the letter said.

It’s unknown when the Senate agriculture committee will hear Torres Small’s nomination.

As of March 24, the Senate’s hearing schedule goes until March 30.

The ag committee is scheduled to meet on March 30 for “hearings to examine forestry in the Farm Bill, focusing on the importance of America’s forests.”

Video: Canada's Agriculture Day 2025

Let's celebrate Canadian agriculture.

Well, number one, you don't eat without farmers. Farmers put food on the table. And what could be more important than that?

Well, I think it's important that Canadians understand exactly what takes place, what happens to produce this food, no matter what sector you're talking about.

An awful lot of work goes into that. It's important to understand that meat does not come out of a showcase, and milk does not come out of a bottle. It's produced by farmers and hard work.

Canada has the best farmers in the world. And agriculture is vital to Canada.

In 2024, our agriculture and agri-food sector represented $150 billion of Canada's GDP, nearly $100 billion of our exports, and one in nine jobs.

From grains to fruits to dairy and beef, we are truly blessed with an incredible bounty. Having spent my whole life in agriculture, I see so much potential for the sector.

This time last year, I was proud to open our first-ever agriculture and trade office in the Indo-Pacific, the world’s fastest-growing economy, to cement our presence in the region and grow our exports even more. We've also been making historic investments to help our farmers to boost their yields, protect the planet, and earn a fair living.

The world wants more top-quality, sustainable food, and I know our Canadian farmers can deliver. And it's so important that you do that with pride. We need you.

Quite simply, you eat the most top quality food in the world. You do that because of the quality of farmers and ranchers you have in this country.

Just say thank you to a farmer or a rancher. They work very hard, yes, for a living, but also with a sense of pride in what they produce.

That's what Canada's Agriculture Day is all about.