Dive Brief:
- The Senate on Tuesday confirmed Xochitl Torres Small as deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
- Senators voted 84-8 to confirm the former U.S. representative for New Mexico to the USDA's second-highest post. She replaces Jewel Bronaugh, who announced she would step down in January .
- Torres Small has served as the USDA under secretary for rural development since October 2021. Rural Development Chief Operating Officer Roger Glendenning will take over as interim under secretary effective July 14.
Dive Insight:
Agricultural groups hailed Torres Small for her background in agriculture and commitment to advancing issues affecting rural communities. The granddaughter of farmworkers, Torres Small also served as a member of the House Agriculture Committee while in Congress.
"Her previous leadership experience at USDA and her time on the House Agriculture Committee give her important perspective and solid experience to hit the ground running in addressing the challenges and seizing the opportunities ahead for America’s farmers and ranchers," American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall said in a statement.
During her time at the rural development office, Torres Small managed grants and loans to support infrastructure improvements and affordable housing in farming communities. She also oversaw the launch of new programs advancing renewable energy projects in rural areas, which were supported through funding from the Inflation Reduction Act.
As deputy secretary, Torres Small will help lead the 29 agencies and nearly 100,000 employees that make up the USDA. In a statement before the Senate in May, Torres Small said she hopes to move the USDA away from a “get big or get out” mentality while also addressing the agency's low staffing levels and high attrition rates.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack applauded Torres Small's nomination in a statement Tuesday, saying he has "witnessed her lead with energy, authenticity and personal investment that I know will leave an impact on USDA for years to come.
