USDA Deputy Secretary Harden Steps Down

Krysta Harden

Krysta Harden

Agriculture Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden announced her plans to depart the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) at the end of February 2016. To ensure continuity of operations upon her departure, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that Michael Scuse, the current Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services (FFAS), will serve as Acting Deputy Secretary of Agriculture. Secretary Vilsack also directed Alexis Taylor, the current Deputy Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services, to assume the duties of Under Secretary for FFAS.

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Secretary Vilsack made the following statement on the departure of Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden:

“Krysta Harden shares a special bond with rural America and agriculture that is deeply rooted in her family history and personal values, embodying the mission of USDA in a genuine way. I greatly appreciate her many years of service to the Obama Administration and to USDA. But more than anything, I am grateful for her friendship, sound judgement and leadership as a key member of my team since 2009.

“When I asked her to serve as Deputy Secretary, Krysta shared her priorities with me, which included strengthening our civil rights record and the inclusivity of USDA programs and policies, expanding opportunities for the next generation of farmers and ranchers, and emboldening rural communities with the resources they need to thrive. Looking back, she has delivered decisively on each one.

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“Her tenure at USDA first as Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations, then as my Chief of Staff, and finally as Deputy Secretary, underscore her unique talents as a leader and a champion for rural America. I speak for thousands of colleagues across the USDA, the federal family, and our nation’s food and agriculture sector, when I say she will be missed. I appreciate her service and wish her well in her future endeavors.”

Source: USDA

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