USDA First Friday: Towards a more perfect union

Good morning,
I want to start this month’s message with a sincere thank you to Deputy Secretary Jewel Bronaugh. The deputy secretary has infused USDA and inspired us with her kindness, empathy, intelligence, and her personality. She exemplifies the dedication to service and dedication to other employees that I want to see in all staff. She has been an incredible partner over the last two years; she and her staff have been instrumental in guiding the department to seize opportunity and address a host of challenges. We are one team at USDA. I’ve asked everyone on the deputy’s staff carry on in their current roles and support the next deputy in delivering on USDA’s mission and accomplishing our shared priorities. It goes without saying, Deputy Secretary Bronaugh will be greatly missed.
Next Tuesday, President Biden will deliver the 2023 State of the Union address to Congress and the American people. As so often happens, you will hear the president address the accomplishments delivered by our federal family over the past year. He will highlight key outcomes that have improved the lives of everyday Americans and other global citizens. As you listen, I ask that you look past politics. Instead, hone-in on the outcomes that you’ve played a vital role in as a USDA employee and give thought to the challenges you will play a role in overcoming them. Recognize that your work is meaningful to millions.
Through our work, we touch the lives of all Americans each day in many positive ways. Using the resources provided by the American Rescue Plan, the Inflation Reduction Act, and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, you address long overlooked and underfunded projects and initiatives:
- You have helped more than 13,000 distressed farmers and have established customer- focused lending programs to assist thousands more. The stability the programs provide our farmers gives them the ability to produce more despite rising input costs.
- Our agricultural exports are at a record high of $196 billion. Our USDA trade missions have reported over $42.2 million in projected annual sales.
- We invested in over 141 projects to support climate-smart commodity production practices, like cover crops, no-till and nutrient management, as well as pasture and forestry management.
- The relationships you build with farmers and ranchers, universities, non-profits, landowners, and industry are delivering tangible results and literally saving lives. For example, the Community Wildfire Defense Program will work over the next five years to reduce wildfire risk across the Nation.
- USDA is increasing internet access for 109,000 households, 5,900 businesses, 14,520 farms, 396 educational facilities, 435 essential community facilities and 51 healthcare facilities.
- We are reaching people who were underserved, and we are providing them with the tools to bolster their own economic success. This includes infrastructure improvements, financial support, and nutrition security. Ask the over 30 million children who participate in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs, and the other many millions who relied on the program at one point in their lives “what is the value of USDA?”
These are just a few examples of the tremendous work done here at USDA. Although we’ve come far, I ask that you keep on at it. Over the next few months, we will wrap up the Agricultural Census. The data collected will play a key role to inform the upcoming Farm Bill debates. The data also gives us insight into the distribution of our agricultural resources and wealth upon which we will chart our priorities for the next six years. A big thank you for your continued support in helping to promote response. Let’s keep the momentum going!
In the near term, we will continue to advance the Biden-Harris agenda to build from the bottom up and middle out. This means prioritizing projects that expand market competition and opportunities for small- and mid-sized farms. We will continue to focus on diversifying our producers, processors, and distribution chains. We will break down barriers to business development. We will leverage climate smart practices to continue to protect our future and to support innovative new businesses. We will continue to support infrastructure improvements and rural development. We will improve USDA’s technology to ensure our constituents are able to find and understand our policies and processes and ensure that the information is written in plain language and accessible. And above all, we will feed our people with healthy, affordable, nutritious food without bias.
These are big tasks, and they take time to implement. Our goals are dependent on a happy and healthy workforce. Follow the Deputy Secretary’s example and make time for you and your family’s health.
I sincerely hope the president’s message will inspire you to think about the role you play in striving to form that more perfect Union called for in our Constitution. You should be proud. Thank you!
Sincerely,
Secretary Thomas J. Vilsack
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