WASHINGTON — Editor’s note: Xochitl Torres Small has been confirmed as Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Since October 2021, Torres Small has served as Under Secretary for Rural Development at USDA. The following statements were released following her confirmation; for the USDA statement, click here.
American Farm Bureau Federation
National Farmers Union
American Soybean Association
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
National Milk Producers Federation
National Association of State Departments of Agriculture
American Farm Bureau Federation
AFBF Applauds Confirmation of Xochitl Torres Small as Deputy Secretary of Agriculture
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on the confirmation of Xochitl Torres Small as Deputy Secretary of Agriculture.
“AFBF congratulates Xochitl Torres Small on her confirmation, and we look forward to working closely with her on the big issues ahead for agriculture. 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.”
National Farmers Union
NFU Statement on Xochitl Torres Small Confirmation as Deputy Secretary of Agriculture
Today, National Farmers Union (NFU) President Rob Larew issued the following statement on the confirmation of Xochitl Torres Small to serve as the Deputy Secretary of Agriculture for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
“NFU welcomes the confirmation of Deputy Secretary Torres Small in her new role. Rural communities are stronger and more resilient because of the work she’s done at Rural Development and in her time as a Member of Congress representing New Mexico. Family farmers and ranchers have a champion in the Deputy Secretary.”
American Soybean Association
Soy: Torres Small Confirmation Big Plus for Ag
The American Soybean Association and soy growers expect the confirmation of Xochitl Torres Small as Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture to be a positive for agriculture.
ASA Chief Executive Officer Stephen Censky, who served in the position from 2017-2020, said, “Torres Small’s comprehensive background in D.C. will bring great value and insight to the position—from her time as a district court clerk, attorney working in water and natural resources law, on through her service in the U.S. House of Representatives, where she was a member of the House Agriculture Committee, and most recently with USDA Rural Development.”
In a letter signed by ASA and other organizations in support of Torres Small’s nomination in March, the groups said, “Under Secretary [of Rural Development] Torres Small has demonstrated a deep commitment to addressing challenges in the agricultural supply chain, fostering economic opportunities and security through rural infrastructure investments, and fighting for the needs of rural Americans. Her dedication to public service and skilled administration of USDA’s Rural Development mission area make her uniquely qualified for the role of Deputy Secretary of Agriculture.”
ASA was pleased to work with Deputy Secretary Jewell Bronaugh during her time with the department and looks forward to continuing positive relations with USDA and Torres Small.
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
NCBA Congratulates Xochitl Torres Small on Confirmation as USDA Deputy Secretary
Today, NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane released a statement congratulating Xochitl Torres Small on her confirmation as Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA):
“NCBA congratulates Xochitl Torres Small on her bipartisan confirmation as USDA Deputy Secretary. In her previous role as Under Secretary for Rural Development, she was an advocate for rural communities, and we know she will continue supporting our nation’s beef farmers and ranchers in her new role. We thank the Senate for confirming such a qualified nominee and we look forward to working with her in the future.”
National Milk Producers Federation
NMPF Applauds Xochitl Torres Small’s Confirmation as Deputy Agriculture Secretary
From NMPF President and CEO Jim Mulhern:
“On behalf of America’s dairy farmers and their cooperatives, we congratulate Xochitl Torres Small on her Senate confirmation as Deputy Secretary of Agriculture. Her rich family heritage in agriculture, as well as her career in public service in Congress and at USDA, will bring valuable perspective to the position, and we know she will bring great insight and energy to her new role. We look forward to continuing our work together to tackle the many pressing issues that affect agriculture and our rural communities.”
National Association of State Departments of Agriculture
State agriculture departments congratulate Torres Small on confirmation to Deputy Secretary of Agriculture
Following the confirmation of Under Secretary Xochitl Torres Small as Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture CEO Ted McKinney released the following statement:
“Under Secretary Xochitl Torres Small has a proven record of championing solutions for the agricultural supply chain and fostering economic growth for communities across the nation. With her experience leading the industry as Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural Development and her perspective on state and local issues as former U.S. representative for New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District, NASDA is elated at today’s Senate confirmation and looks forward to her leadership.
NASDA congratulates Deputy Secretary Torres Small and thanks the U.S. Senate for its approval of an excellent leader for U.S. agriculture.”
