Dr. Jewel Bronaugh Deputy Secretary of Agriculture announced on January 26th that she would resign her position with USDA. Considered a high-flyer and integral to implementing administration policy, Dr. Bronaugh completed a short tenure at the USDA after serving as the Commissioner of Agriculture for the state of Virginia. Her reason for resigning was stated as “spending more time with my family”.
Dr. Bronaugh commented, “Serving in the Biden-Harris Administration and having the opportunity to make history alongside Secretary Vilsack has truly been the greatest honor of my professional career.” Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack stated, “Her service, presence and leadership will sorely be missed and she has been instrumental in helping the department seize opportunity and address a host of challenges.”
Over the past two years she has served as co-chair of the USDA Equity Commission intended to remove apparent systemic inequities. She also originated a “Chief Diversity 
and Inclusion Office” to provide governance over equity, inclusion and accessibility within the USDA, regarded as priorities by Seratay Vilsack. Her activities were however not involved in directly promoting agricultural productivity and wellbeing of the U.S. agricultural economy.
Although a successor has not been announced it is predicted that Xochitl Torres Small currently Under Secretary for Rural Development will be appointed in the position held by Ms. Bronaugh. Ms. Small has been active in expanding rural internet service, and is an excellent communicator. It is anticipated that she will engender bipartisan support in Congress based on her previous experience representing a district in her home state of New Mexico, following her election to the House in 2018.