Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural Development

The Under Secretary for Rural Development (USDA(RD)) is a high-ranking official in the United States Department of Agriculture and principal advisor to the United States Secretary of Agriculture responsible for oversight of the department's rural development programs and policies.

United States
Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural Development
Seal of the Department of Agriculture
Incumbent
Vacant
since July 17, 2023
Websiteusda.gov

The Under Secretary is appointed by the President of the United States with the consent of the United States Senate to serve at the pleasure of the President. The most recent Under Secretary was Xochitl Torres Small, who was nominated in June 2021 and resigned in July 2023 to take office as deputy secretary.[1][2]

Overview

The Under Secretary for Rural Development, as head of the Rural Development Mission Area, provides assistance to rural communities in the United States. In particular, this assistance comes in three areas: business, utilities, and housing. The Under Secretary for Rural Development oversees loans, grants, and technical assistance to rural residents, communities, and businesses.

With the rank of Under Secretary, the USDA(RD) is a Level III position within the Executive Schedule.[3]

Reporting officials

Officials reporting to the Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural Development include:

Office holders

Under Secretary Torres-Small was confirmed by voice vote on October 7, 2021.[1] The previous Under Secretary was Lisa Mensah, who was appointed by President Barack Obama on May 8, 2014, and confirmed by the United States Senate on November 20, 2014.

Between the two, Anne Hazlett served as Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development, from June 12, 2017,[4] to February 7, 2019, when Hazlett joined the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy.[5]

  Denotes an Acting Under Secretary for Rural Development
No. Portrait Name Took office Left office President
serving under
1 Jill Long Jill L. Long 1995 2001 Bill Clinton
2 Thomas Dorr Thomas C. Dorr 2002 2008 George W. Bush
3 Dallas P Tonsager Dallas P. Tonsager May 12, 2009[6] 2013 Barack Obama
4 Lisa Mensah Lisa Mensah November 20, 2014 January 2017
5 Xochitl Torres Small Xochitl Torres Small October 13, 2021 July 17, 2023 Joe Biden

References
  1. "PN745 — Xochitl Torres Small — Department of Agriculture". Congress.gov. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
  2. "Biden taps former New Mexico congresswoman Xochitl Torres Small for USDA role".
  3. "5 U.S. Code § 5314 - Positions at level III".
  4. "Secretary Perdue Names Anne Hazlett to Lead Rural Development at USDA".
  5. "Hazlett Named Senior Adviser at the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy".
  6. Carey, Maeve P.; Greene, Michael W. (2014). "Presidential Appointments to Full-Time Positions in Executive Departments During the 111th Congress, 2009-2010 (R43638)". Library of Congress, Congressional Research Service. Retrieved 11 March 2023.


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