REE Under Secretary Stakeholder Farewell

Dear USDA Stakeholders and Partners,

More than two years ago I was sworn in as the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Chief Scientist and Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics (REE). In this role, I have led the world-class work of staff from USDA’s Agricultural Research Service, Economic Research Service, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service, and Office of the Chief Scientist, and our valuable partners.

When I accepted President Biden’s appointment, I set out to support Secretary Vilsack’s goals to transform our Nation’s food and agriculture system to be more sustainable, equitable, nourishing, and prosperous than ever before. I challenged REE scientists and employees to work more closely with USDA stakeholders and partners to solidify our scientific enterprise as the leading federal source for trusted, data-driven, science-based agricultural research.

Now, as the Biden-Harris Administration comes to an end, I want to thank each of you, USDA’s valued stakeholders and partners, for helping USDA and REE accomplish this mission. USDA Science team members collaborated with you to deliver healthy, nutritious, and safe agricultural products to U.S. consumers and around the world.

Together, we have used cutting-edge research, breakthrough innovation, and trusted data and analysis to create an agrifood system that benefits everyone. As I reflect back, there are so many monumental achievements that were made possible through partnerships and collaboration:

Like the release of the USDA Science & Research Strategy, a bold three-year vision for revolutionizing agriculture through coordinated research, science, data, and partnerships.

The flagship NextGen Program, a $262.5 million investment in the next generation of diverse food and agriculture professionals, is expected to reach more than 20,000 students, in partnership with our Land-grant University colleagues.

The ASCEND for Better Health initiative is enhancing and accelerating precision nutrition research to improve health for all Americans, especially for those who have been historically underserved.

The four USDA Nutrition Hubs bring together scientists, higher education institutions, partner organizations, and communities to deliver science-based solutions that promote and elevate food and nutrition security for all, again, in collaboration with our Land-grant University partners.

The historic AIM for Climate initiative mobilized $29.2 billion in climate-smart ag and food systems innovation worldwide and formed a vast coalition with over 800 partners.

The first-of-its-kind “Harvesting Hope: USDA’s Agrifood Innovation Symposium” in June 2024, hosted in partnership with the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR), brought together hundreds of stakeholders from across the food, ag, tech, science, policy and philanthropy space to showcase the real-world impacts of investments in agricultural innovation.

The USDA-FFAR “Nourishing Next Generation Agrifood Breakthroughs” (Innovation Challenge) announced funding awards for three teams of early-career scientists to drive breakthroughs at the intersection of nutrition security, climate-smart ag, and equity, helping to ensure young scientists can conduct high-risk, high-reward research that can possibly disrupt and revolutionize the industry.

It has been a tremendous honor to lead the incredible cadre of dedicated REE public servants who are committed to serving our stakeholders and the American public. USDA’s world renowned employees, with your continued partnership and support, will continue the critical task of transforming American agriculture. I am proud of the work we have done together these past few years, and I will continue to champion and support the valuable work that USDA partners and stakeholders are doing to help our Nation’s farmers have economic opportunities, while ensuring ALL people have access to healthy, safe, affordable food.

As I transition back to public service, I leave the mission area with a committed and strong REE leadership team. I am confident that their dedication to excellence, innovation, and public service will ensure that USDA and REE continue to find solutions to complex challenges using high quality, relevant, and timely science-based information so that USDA remains a premier scientific enterprise for generations to come.

Thank you again for your support and partnership these past few years!

Kind Regards,

Chavonda Jacobs-Young, Ph.D.

Under Secretary, Research, Education, and Economics

& USDA Chief Scientist