ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Alumni Spotlight JENNY LESTER MOFFITT (47)
The U.S. Senate in August 2021 confirmed Jenny Lester Moffitt (47) to serve as U.S. Department of Agriculture under secretary for marketing and regulatory programs after being nominated by President Joe Biden for the position. Moffitt previously served as undersecretary and deputy secretary at the California Department of Food and Agriculture. “Under Secretary Moffitt brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective as both a farmer and a policy maker,” said U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, chair of the Senate Ag Committee. “I look forward to working with her to help our farm families and food businesses along the supply chain recover from the pandemic, tackle the climate crisis, keep pests and diseases out of the U.S., and thrive well into the future.” In her new role, Moffitt will manage USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), which administers programs that create domestic and international marketing opportunities for U.S. producers of food, fiber and specialty crops. AMS also provides the agriculture industry with valuable services to ensure the quality and availability of wholesome food for consumers across the country. “Moffitt will bring the knowledge and experience she has acquired through years of farming to USDA, where it will be put to good use overseeing the department’s marketing and regulatory programs,” said U.S. Sen. John Boozman, ranking member of the Senate Ag Committee. “I look forward to working with her to increase market opportunities for producers, and believe she will work in good faith to carry out the regulatory authorities for which she will be responsible in a manner that is consistent with congressional intent.”
MY SENATE CONFIRMATION EXPERIENCE AND LEADERSHIP LESSONS - By Jenny Lester Moffitt The confirmation process is an important opportunity for the Senate to weigh in on key presidential appointments. It is like a job interview, but with the United States Senate, under oath and for the record for all to see! What most people don’t typically see is the vetting that takes place, first by the White House prior to nomination and then by senators and their staffers. There is a lot of paperwork and a thorough background check; staff interviews with the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry; a Senate committee hearing and committee vote and then floor vote by the full Senate. I was nominated on April 27 and confirmed on Aug. 11, so the process can take some time. Throughout the process, I had the opportunity to learn about the variety of issues impacting the USDA’s Marketing and Regulatory Programs, the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), as well as key issues of concern or interest affecting U.S. agriculture across the nation and especially for the senators who serve on the Senate Agriculture Committee. This was important preparation for my committee hearing and a great introduction to much of the work I am now doing, and I appreciated what I learned as I began my new role. As under secretary for marketing and regulatory programs, I am looking forward to getting out and hearing from farmers and ranchers across the country and learning about their operations and the realities they face. I am also eager to identify how we at USDA can best support American agriculture, our rural communities, consumers and all the many people we serve. As someone who helped run a family farm and processing operation, I know how important it is to listen to those firsthand experiences and to bring the voice of farmers and people who work
in the agricultural and food supply chain into policymaking. We are at an incredibly important moment in time for U.S. agriculture, and I look forward to helping build a more resilient and inclusive food system. We have an opportunity to strengthen the food system so that it is more equitable and competitive, and to do so by enhancing local and regional supply chains and ensuring fair, open and transparent markets. We must ensure that producers receive a fair share of the food dollar while advancing equity and combating the climate crisis. I have the opportunity to work with some of the most dedicated and knowledgeable scientists and career employees at USDA who are making a difference each day with their work through AMS and APHIS. I look forward to working with them to facilitate domestic and international marketing and to ensure the health and care of animals and plants by tackling diseases and pests affecting agricultural productivity and trade. LESSONS FROM AG LEADERSHIP One of the key Ag Leadership lessons that I carry with me every day is the value of servant leadership. As a public servant, I work in service of the American people: farmers, ranchers, rural communities and the consumers depending on American agriculture. In Ag Leadership, I learned how to harness servant leadership and to bring people together to work collectively to tackle tough challenges together. My Ag Leadership experience showed me the power of listening to multiple viewpoints and the great things that can be accomplished when stakeholders collaborate for the common good. Ag Leadership gave me an incredible opportunity to better understand and to tell my story while learning from the stories and expertise of others. American agriculture has an important story to tell and it will take all of us to tell it.
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WINTER 2022 HORIZONS MAGAZINE
