ARLINGTON, Va., July 12, 2023 — The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) congratulated Xochitl Torres Small on her confirmation to serve as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) deputy secretary.
The Senate voted 84-8 to confirm Ms. Torres Small on July 11. The Senate Agriculture Committee unanimously advanced her nomination in May.
“NGFA members extend their congratulations to Under Secretary Torres Small, who is uniquely qualified to serve as deputy secretary of agriculture. She has demonstrated skilled expertise in her leadership of USDA’s Rural Development mission area and a deep commitment to public service throughout her career. We look forward to working with her in her new role,” NGFA President and CEO Mike Seyfert said. “NGFA thanks Senate Agriculture Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., and Ranking Member John Boozman, R-Ark., for supporting and advancing her nomination.”
Torres Small was confirmed by the Senate to serve as the undersecretary for rural development at USDA in October 2021. Prior to her role at USDA, she served as a U.S. Representative for New Mexico as a member of the House Agriculture Committee, the House Armed Services Committee and as chairwoman of the Oversight, Management, and Accountability Subcommittee of the House Homeland Security Committee.
NGFA joined a group of more than 70 agricultural stakeholders in signing a May 18 letter to Senate leaders in support of Torres Small’s nomination.
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The NGFA, established in 1896, consists of grain, feed, processing, exporting and other grain-related companies that operate more than 8,000 facilities handling U.S. grains and oilseeds. Its membership includes grain elevators; feed and feed ingredient manufacturers; biofuels companies; grain and oilseed processors and millers; exporters; livestock and poultry integrators; and associated firms that provide goods and services to the nation’s grain, feed and processing industry. The NGFA consists of 27 affiliated State and Regional Grain and Feed Associations, is co-located and has a strategic alliance with North American Export Grain Association, and a strategic alliance with Pet Food Institute.