    [Senate Hearing 117-88]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]

                                                            S. Hrg. 117-88

                      NOMINATION OF DR. JEWEL H. BRONAUGH,
                           OF VIRGINIA, TO BE DEPUTY
                            SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE

    =======================================================================

                                    HEARING

                                   BEFORE THE

                           COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE,
                            NUTRITION, AND FORESTRY

                              UNITED STATES SENATE

                        ONE HUNDRED SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS

                                 FIRST SESSION

                                   __________

                                 APRIL 22, 2021

                                   __________

                           Printed for the use of the
               Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry

    [GRAPHIC NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

                      Available on http://www.govinfo.gov/

                                    __________

                        U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE
    45-945 PDF                 WASHINGTON : 2022

    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

               COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, NUTRITION, AND FORESTRY

                     DEBBIE STABENOW, Michigan, Chairwoman
    PATRICK J. LEAHY, Vermont            JOHN BOOZMAN, Arkansas
    SHERROD BROWN, Ohio                  MITCH McCONNELL, Kentucky
    AMY KLOBUCHAR, Minnesota             JOHN HOEVEN, North Dakota
    MICHAEL F. BENNET, Colorado          JONI ERNST, Iowa
    KIRSTEN E. GILLIBRAND, New York      CINDY HYDE-SMITH, Mississippi
    TINA SMITH, Minnesota                ROGER MARSHALL, Kansas
    RICHARD J. DURBIN, Illinois          TOMMY TUBERVILLE, Alabama
    CORY BOOKER, New Jersey              CHARLES GRASSLEY, Iowa
    BEN RAY LUJAN, New Mexico            JOHN THUNE, South Dakota
    RAPHAEL WARNOCK, Georgia             DEB FISCHER, Nebraska
                                         MIKE BRAUN, Indiana

                   Joseph A. Shultz, Majority Staff Director
                   Mary Beth Schultz, Majority Chief Counsel
                        Jessica L. Williams, Chief Clerk
                Martha Scott Poindexter, Minority Staff Director
                     Fred J. Clark, Minority Chief Counsel

                                C O N T E N T S

                                  ----------

                            Thursday, April 22, 2021

                                                                       Page

    Hearing:

    Nomination of Dr. Jewel H. Bronaugh, of Virginia, to be Deputy
      Secretary of Agriculture.......................................     1

                                  ----------

                        STATEMENTS PRESENTED BY SENATORS

    Stabenow, Hon. Debbie, U.S. Senator from the State of Michigan...     1
    Boozman, Hon. John, U.S. Senator from the State of Arkansas......     3

                                   WITNESSES

    Warner, Hon. Mark R., U.S. Senator from the State of Virginia....     5
    Bronaugh, Jewel H., Med, Edd, of Virginia, to be Deputy Secretary
      of Agriculture.................................................     6
                                  ----------

                                    APPENDIX

    Prepared Statements:
        Bronaugh, Jewel H............................................    34

    Document(s) Submitted for the Record:
    Stabenow, Hon. Debbie:
        Maryland and Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative Association,
          letter of support..........................................    38
        Food and Farming Organizations, letter of support............    39
    Bronaugh, Jewel H.:
        Committee questionnaire, Office of Government Ethics
          Executive Branch Personnel Public Financial Disclosure
          Report and 5-day letter filed by Dr. Jewel H. Bronaugh.....    41

    Question and Answer:
    Bronaugh, Jewel H.:
        Written response to questions from Hon. Debbie Stabenow......    84
        Written response to questions from Hon. John Boozman.........    90
        Written response to questions from Hon. Patrick Leahy........   100
        Written response to questions from Hon. Amy Klobuchar........   101
        Written response to questions from Hon. Richard Durbin.......   102
        Written response to questions from Hon. Ben Ray Lujan........   108
        Written response to questions from Hon. John Hoeven..........   109
        Written response to questions from Hon. Roger Marshall, M.D..   110
        Written response to questions from Hon. John Boozman.........   113

        NOMINATION OF DR. JEWEL H. BRONAUGH, OF VIRGINIA, TO BE DEPUTY
                            SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE

                                  ----------

                            THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021

                                           U.S. Senate,
             Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry,
                                                        Washington, DC.
        The Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 10:05 a.m., via
    Webex and in room 301, Russell Senate Office Building, Hon.
    Debbie Stabenow, Chairwoman of the Committee, presiding.
        Present or submitting a statement: Senators Stabenow,
    Brown, Bennet, Gillibrand, Lujan, Warnock, Boozman, Hoeven,
    Ernst, Hyde-Smith, Marshall, Tuberville, Grassley, Thune,
    Fischer, and Braun.

    STATEMENT OF HON. DEBBIE STABENOW, U.S. SENATOR FROM THE STATE
        OF MICHIGAN, CHAIRWOMAN, U.S. COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE,
                        NUTRITION, AND FORESTRY

        Chairwoman Stabenow. I call this hearing of the U.S. Senate
    Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry to order. I
    thank colleagues for your patience as several of us were trying
    to be two places at once. I am looking forward to ``Beam Me Up,
    Scotty'' so we can do this without running between office
    buildings. Thanks very much.
        Everyone on this Committee knows the breadth of the U.S.
    Department of Agriculture and how it affects every American,
    whether they are a farmer or a rancher, facing----
        Senator Warner. Could I get some ice water, or ice with my
    favorite bottle?
        Chairwoman Stabenow. I think someone is tuning in here on
    us. It sounds like Senator Warner, but we will welcome him to
    the Committee.
        Senator Warner. Are you ready for me, Madam Chair, or
    later?
        Chairwoman Stabenow. Oh, I am sorry. It is Senator Warner.
    I will be ready for you in a few moments.
        Senator Warner. Yes, ma'am.
        Chairwoman Stabenow. I am sorry.
        Senator Warner. Yes, ma'am.
        Chairwoman Stabenow. Just in a few moments. Thank you.
    Thank you. Senator Warner will be introducing our nominee.
        Everyone on the Committee knows the breadth, as I said, of
    the U.S. Department of Agriculture and how affects every
    American, whether it is a farmer, a rancher facing severe
    drought, a family struggling to make ends meet, or a small town
    looking to provide high-speed internet to its residents.
        I am pleased that today we are here to consider a nominee
    for a position that covers the scope of these issues, and more,
    at the USDA. Dr. Jewel Bronaugh, welcome and congratulations on
    your nomination to serve as Deputy Secretary of Agriculture.
    You have a very impressive and wide-ranging agricultural
    background. You have worked on some of our most important
    issues to American farmers, families, and rural communities.
        As Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Agriculture
    and Consumer Services, you led one of the most diverse
    agricultural States in the country--slightly behind Michigan--
    growing everything from apples to peanuts to turkeys. You also
    have a track record as a strong leader in helping Virginia
    farmers, families, and rural communities weather the pandemic.
        You are also no strange to USDA. For two years, you were
    the Virginia State Executive Director for the USDA Farm Service
    Agency, overseeing Virginia's local Farm Service Agency
    offices, which, as we know, serve on the front lines helping
    our farmers and ranchers.
        You know first-hand the important role USDA plays in
    helping farmers and ranchers tap into resources that will help
    them grow and sustain their farms. Whether it is a dairy farmer
    signing up for the Dairy Margin Coverage Program, a soybean
    producer applying for ARC, or a beginning farmer learning how
    to start their operation, you have valuable experience working
    directly with farmers on the ground.
        You also know how conservation can help farmers be
    productive and profitable, while also protecting land and water
    and addressing the climate crisis. I trust that you will bring
    that perspective your role.
        You also have extensive experience in agricultural
    research, which is fundamental to the success of American
    agriculture. As Dean of the College of Agriculture at Virginia
    State University, you oversaw important research and innovation
    that helps our farmers grow the food that feeds the world.
        When we met last week, you and I also discussed how we can
    support all corners of American agriculture, big and small,
    urban and rural. We need to make sure there is opportunity for
    all farmers, no matter what you grow or how you grow it.
        Dr. Bronaugh has the support of a wide range of
    organizations representing food and farming, including the
    American Farm Bureau Federation, National Farmers Union,
    National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, United Fresh Produce
    Association, National Milk Producers Federation, and a variety
    of State and local groups, including several from my home State
    of Michigan. I ask that such letters be included in the record.
    Without objection, so ordered.

        [The letters can be found on pages 38-40 in the appendix.]

        Chairwoman Stabenow. Thank you again for being here. I look
    forward to hearing more about your plans and your vision today.
    I now recognize our Ranking Member, Senator Boozman, and then I
    will recognize Senator Warner for the formal introduction.

     STATEMENT OF HON. SENATOR JOHN BOOZMAN, U.S. SENATOR FROM THE
                           STATE OF ARKANSAS

        Senator Boozman. Thank you, Madam Chair. We are very
    pleased to welcome Dr. Jewel Bronaugh to the Committee this
    morning as we consider her nomination to be Deputy Secretary of
    Agriculture. Secretary Vilsack was confirmed a few weeks ago,
    and we appreciate his eagerness to get a full team in place so
    the Department can continue to work on behalf of the Nation's
    farmers, ranchers, and other rural stakeholders. I look forward
    to hearing from Secretary Vilsack in the next few days on the
    status of the work he has been doing since getting reacquainted
    with his old job.
        The Deputy Secretary of Agriculture is the second highest-
    ranking official at the U.S. Department of Agriculture,
    appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the
    Senate. More importantly, she becomes the Acting Secretary if
    the Secretary is unable to perform the duties of the office.
    The position coordinates day-to-day operations within the
    Department and efforts across agencies. The Deputy Secretary is
    tasked with implementing the departmental mission. The Deputy
    Secretary receives input from outside the agency and stays up
    to date on issues and trends in the agriculture arena.
        Dr. Bronaugh certainly has shown she has the experience to
    handle these significant responsibilities at the Department.
    Throughout Dr. Bronaugh's career, she has shown to be a true
    leader in agriculture by serving her country and the State of
    Virginia in government and educational roles. Her experience
    includes her service as the Virginia State Executive Director
    for the USDA Farm Service Agency, where she was appointed by
    Governor Terry McAuliffe and the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture
    Tom Vilsack in July 2015.
        In her role with FSA, she provided oversight for critical
    production, stabilization, price support, compliance, farm loan
    conservation, environmental and emergency assistance programs
    in Virginia. She was responsible for the supervision of 41
    field offices and the State FSA office, comprising 186
    employees. Dr. Bronaugh was the first African American female
    in the Nation to serve in this capacity, and she is the first
    woman of color to be nominated for the USDA Deputy Secretary.
        She has championed causes in her career such as developing
    and delivering programs addressing issues of bullying among
    youth while she was Associate Administrator of Cooperative
    Extension and a 4-H Youth Development Specialist, and in the
    spring of 2019, she launched the Farmer Stress Task Force,
    organized in partnership with agriculture and health-related
    agencies and organizations to raise awareness and coordinate
    resources to address farmer stress and mental health challenges
    in Virginia.
        She has won praise and support from many in the agriculture
    community, including the American Farm Bureau, the National
    Farmers Union, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives,
    National Association of State Departments of Agriculture,
    National Cotton Council, North American Meat Institute, USA
    Rice, and I am sure many others.
        As everyone knows in this room, agriculture is more prone
    to regional concerns as opposed to partisan battles. I am
    pleased to see that in Dr. Bronaugh's current job she serves as
    the Treasurer of the Southern Association of State Departments
    of Agriculture, part of the National Association of State
    Departments of Agriculture, which displays her appreciation and
    understanding of Southern agriculture.
        As I have stated before, I am a strong believer that past
    performance is indicative of future performance, so I believe
    Dr. Bronaugh is bound for success at the Department. If
    confirmed, I am confident that Dr. Bronaugh and her staff will
    continue working in a bipartisan fashion with Congress on
    behalf of our farmers, ranchers, and those the Department
    serves.
        USDA and Congress have a very special relationship, one
    that is traditionally very collegial and informative. I hope
    that that relationship will grow stronger in the coming days
    and months under the guidance of Dr. Bronaugh, and that she
    will endeavor to work with Congress in a transparent,
    bipartisan manner as we all serve the agriculture constituency.
        Despite seeing light at the end of the tunnel, there are
    many challenges to getting rural America back to a full
    recovery, and open, transparent lines of communication between
    USDA and Congress are an important part of doing the work to
    reach that goal. I continue to monitor the status of COVID
    relief, as I know the Chairwoman is also, and it is imperative
    that the CFAP assistance gets to those most in need. I was
    troubled when the Biden administration announced a 60-day
    review of some of this assistance while advocating for an
    additional $1.9 trillion, then passing it on a partisan basis
    without the benefit of input from all in Congress.
        However, I am pleased to see that some relief has begun to
    flow to those who are in need. Accordingly, I encourage you,
    Dr. Bronaugh, to work to deliver assistance as expeditiously as
    possible to those who continue to struggle with this pandemic.
        I also remain concerned about a number of issues in ag
    today, including how the administration works with our
    producers on issues involving the environment and climate. In
    recent years, production agriculture has taken many strides to
    be more efficient and environmentally friendly. We need USDA
    and other Federal agencies to acknowledge that work and see
    agriculture as part of the solution, not part of the problem.
        It is important that USDA and this Committee keep farmers
    and producers at the forefront of any discussion on climate
    change. Heavy-handed, one-size-fits-all regulations simply do
    not work. Climate policy that is advanced by this
    administration or by others in Congress must be addressed in a
    bipartisan fashion with a focus to truly benefit all farmers
    across the country, without mandating specific farming
    practices. Responding to the demands for immediate, urgent
    legislative action on issues that affect our farmers, ranchers,
    and producers is important, and it is our job.
        As Congress considers additional climate policies, I urge
    my colleagues that we should address such legislation in a
    diligent, collaborative, and bipartisan manner, because while
    bipartisan consensus takes time, it yields greater buy-in, and
    hopefully better results.
        Dr. Bronaugh, I look forward to hearing from you today and
    working with you, if confirmed, and I now yield back to our
    Chairwoman.
        Chairwoman Stabenow. Thank you very much, Senator Boozman,
    and I would now yield to my good friend and colleague from
    Virginia, Senator Warner.

     STATEMENT OF THE HON. MARK R. WARNER, A U.S. SENATOR FROM THE
                           STATE OF VIRGINIA

        Senator Warner. Well, good morning, everyone, and thank
    you, Madam Chair Stabenow and Ranking Member Boozman and
    distinguished members of the Committee. It is obviously my
    distinct pleasure and honor to introduce formally a fellow
    Virginian, an outstanding public servant, to serve as President
    Biden's Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, Dr. Jewel Bronaugh.
        Since both Senator Stabenow and Senator Boozman went
    through a number of the parts of your background I will only
    hit them briefly. Dr. Bronaugh, I do not think we ought to
    bring up the fact that the Chairwoman just said that Michigan
    was much better than Virginia on a series of agricultural
    things. Until we get through the Committee we shouldn't correct
    her of that impression.
        Chairwoman Stabenow. That is true, Senator Warner. I simply
    said we had more diversity of crops, but you are absolutely
    right.
        Senator Warner. Well, Madam Chair, you know, Dr. Bronaugh
    and I would never, never try to contest that, at least until
    she is confirmed.
        [Laughter.]
        Senator Warner. It has already been mentioned, and again I
    will just try to hit this very quickly, because I really do
    appreciate both you and the Senator from Arkansas. You know a
    lot about the nominee's background. She served as the 16th
    Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer
    Services. She has held that position since 2018. She was the
    first African American woman. Senator Boozman brought out the
    fact that during COVID she had a very interesting, I think,
    program called the Farmer Stress Task Force, to recognize the
    challenges that farmers had to endure through the COVID
    challenge, and that, again, I think, shows her creativity and
    her willingness to lean in.
        As has been mentioned already, she understands very well
    the mission at USDA. As Commissioner of VDACS she established
    the Virginia Food Access Investment Grant Program that looked
    at this problem of food deserts, again something I know the
    Chairwoman has shown great leadership on, and I think you will
    find in Dr. Bronaugh somebody who can also bring creativity to
    that position.
        You both mentioned, as well, that she served as Dean at the
    College of Agriculture at a great university in Virginia,
    Virginia State University in Petersburg, again, recognizing
    some of the issues around food deserts and food insecurity. She
    has obviously worked in some of these previous roles with
    Secretary Vilsack. In 2015, she was nominated by then Virginia
    Governor Terry McAuliffe and Secretary Vilsack as Virginia
    State Executive Director of USDA Farm Service Agency, again
    familiar with the very strong Federal agricultural programs
    that I know she will help oversee.
        This is really a very, very talented public servant. Both
    you and the Ranking Member I think have expressed that. I think
    the other members of the Committee, as they get a chance to
    know Dr. Bronaugh, will realize both her heart for public
    service, her willingness to be committed, willingness to shake
    things up and try new things as well.
        I recommend her 100 percent, without reservation, and would
    appreciate the Committee's prompt review of her qualifications.
    With that, Madam Chair, I will yield back and, again, Dr.
    Bronaugh, once we get you confirmed we can have the debate
    about diversity of farm products between Michigan and Virginia.
    That will be saved for another time.
        Chairwoman Stabenow. Thank you, Senator Warner, and you
    should quit while you are ahead.
        Senator Warner. I know. Don't worry. I am smart enough to
    yield back my 55 seconds, so thank you so much.
        Chairwoman Stabenow. Well, thank you very, very much for
    that high praise for our nominee.
        Now, Dr. Bronaugh, I have two questions for you to address.
    I realize we are doing this remotely, but I would ask that you
    raise your right hand. I see our nominee. Good morning.
        Ms. Bronaugh. Good morning.
        Chairwoman Stabenow. Please raise your right hand. Do you
    swear or affirm that the testimony you are about to provide is
    the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help
    you God?
        Ms. Bronaugh. I do.
        Chairwoman Stabenow. Thank you. Second, do you agree that,
    if confirmed, you will appear before any duly constituted
    Committee of Congress if asked to appear?
        Ms. Bronaugh. I will.
        Chairwoman Stabenow. Thank you very much. Dr. Bronaugh,
    welcome again. I look forward to learning more about your
    vision and priorities for the Department of Agriculture, and,
    of course, your testimony will be made a part of the record in
    its entirety. You may proceed as you desire.

    STATEMENT OF JEWEL H. BRONAUGH, M.Ed, Ed.D., OF VIRGINIA, TO BE
                    DEPUTY SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE

        Ms. Bronaugh. Thank you. I appreciate being here today.
    Thank you, Chairwoman Stabenow, Ranking Member Boozman, and
    members of this Committee. I also thank Secretary Vilsack for
    all of his support, and many thanks to Senator Warner for
    joining today for the warm introduction.
        First and foremost, thank you for this opportunity. I am
    here today with the loving support of my husband, Cleavon, who
    happens to be a retired U.S. Army veteran, our beautiful
    children, my parents--two teachers who raised me to become an
    educator--and so many role models, including Virginia State
    Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Bettina Ring, and the
    farmers, ranchers, and landowners I work for each day.
        Happy Earth Day to everybody, as we recognize 51 years of
    effort to protect our environment and restore our earth, and we
    are wearing the color green today to reflect today and what it
    means.
        I am honored to have been nominated by President Biden to
    serve as the Deputy Secretary of Agriculture at USDA. I know
    that, if confirmed, I will be the first black woman and woman
    of color to serve as Deputy Secretary. As such, I fully
    understand the historic nature of this confirmation, along with
    the responsibilities of my service in this role. I will join
    thousands of dedicated civil servants at USDA who work in every
    State and 100 countries around the world. I know from
    experience how their work touches the lives of all Americans
    each day in so many positive ways. I value their work and I
    identify with their selfless commitment.
        My parents taught me humility and they encouraged me to
    treat others with dignity. I went into education because of my
    parents, but I focused on agriculture because I wanted to
    inspire young people to build better communities through food
    and nutrition. I am also very proud of my career in Cooperative
    Extension, where I was first inspired by young people in 4-H,
    getting to know the families and communities across Virginia
    who produced our food, feed, fiber, and fuel. This led to the
    honor of serving as Dean of the College of Agriculture at
    Virginia State University, where many of my students were
    first-generation college students from rural communities. I am
    very proud of those men and women who have become outstanding
    leaders in their fields.
        In 2015, Secretary Vilsack appointed me to serve as State
    Executive Director for the Farm Service Agency, where I led the
    implementation of farm bill programs and I personally visited
    each of the 41 field offices within my first year of service to
    learn more about how FSA programs affected farmers, ranchers,
    and forestland owners.
        Soon thereafter, I received the appointment as the 16th
    Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and
    Consumer Services. I was proud to work with other State
    Commissioners, Directors and Secretaries to prioritize PPE for
    farmers and farm workers, advocate for State and Federal
    resources to support dairy farmers and poultry producers,
    expand opportunities for small and midsized farmers and
    ranchers to obtain infrastructure and processing capabilities,
    and develop strategies to meet environmental and water quality
    goals for the Chesapeake Bay.
        Throughout all these experiences and opportunities, it has
    been personal interactions with farmers, ranchers, and land
    owners that I have found deeply rewarding. I have learned of
    their struggles. I have been in their homes and listened to
    aging mothers express the fear of losing the family farm
    because the children wanted to pursue careers outside of
    farming. I spent time with black farmers so inundated with
    stress resulting from years of farm debt that they gave up
    hope. I have spoken with Hispanic workers who, while working
    someone else's land, fully realized their dream of owning their
    own farm. I personally experienced the tears of
    multigenerational dairy farmers given no other choice but to
    sell their dairy herd and the farm that had been in the family
    for four generations.
        What I took away from each experience is the importance not
    only of listening, but hearing what people are saying beneath
    the emotion.
        What motivates me and inspires me is that with all the
    challenges our farmers and ranchers and landowners face today,
    I have never met one who is not eternally optimistic.
    Throughout the pandemic I spoke with one agricultural producer
    after another who somehow found ways to realign their operation
    to meet the demands of an altered food supply chain. They only
    required help to provide a voice to assist them in obtaining
    resources that they needed for financial survival. If America's
    farmers and ranchers can find a way to stay positive and
    committed to their work, then I am obligated to use my voice,
    and, if confirmed, to do what I can to provide help and
    assistance in building our rural economy back stronger.
        Each time I speak with Secretary Vilsack, we discuss
    equity. I share the Secretary's commitment to take bold action,
    to work with this Committee to address discrimination in all
    its forms across USDA. In 1862, Abraham Lincoln established
    USDA. In 1864, he called it ``The People's Department.'' I
    believe it should be just that: the department for all people.
        I am here today to commit that, if confirmed, I will be a
    champion for all farmers, producers, families, and rural
    communities who rely on USDA. I will remain committed to
    helping lead a Department that serves all Americans equally. I
    am grateful for your time and I welcome any questions you may
    have, and thank you.

        [The prepared statement of Ms. Bronaugh can be found on
    page 34 in the appendix.]

        Chairwoman Stabenow. Well, thank you so much, Dr. Bronaugh.
    Thank you so much for those comments, and we will now begin a
    round of five-minute questions from each member. As I begin, on
    a personal level I just wanted to say I was so pleased that I
    saw you were involved in 4-H. I spent my life growing up in 4-
    H, and I think it is such a wonderful leadership tool for young
    people, and I appreciate the fact that you understand that, so
    that was great to see.
        Dr. Bronaugh, your current position as Commissioner of
    Agriculture of Virginia, and your previous service leading the
    USDA's Farm Service Agency in the State has given you
    tremendous insight, as you talked about, into the needs of
    farmers and ranchers, and I think this experience will serve
    you well if you are confirmed as Deputy Secretary.
        As you know, American agriculture is incredibly diverse.
    Could you talk more about the lessons you have learned about
    how USDA can reach all farmers, big and small, conventional and
    organic, regardless of who they are and what they grow?
        Ms. Bronaugh. Yes. Thank you, Senator Stabenow, and I first
    want to start by saying I am excited to see this Committee pass
    the Growing Climate Solutions Act with such bipartisan
    leadership. I look forward to engaging with you, Senator Braun,
    Senator Boozman, and other members of the Committee to ensure
    that we have a timely and important effort to impact climate
    change.
        Chairwoman Stabenow. Thank you.
        Ms. Bronaugh. Thank you for your question. When I think
    about all that USDA does, you know, we have programs for all of
    the major priorities that we face in this country today. I
    think about the major priorities of the pandemic and addressing
    issues around health, climate change, racial equity, and
    building our rural economy back stronger, and USDA certainly
    has programs that affect all of those major priorities and can
    be used to address those priorities.
        Senator Stabenow, you asked about my background and my
    experience in how we can utilize USDA programs, and I can go
    back to my first experiences in research and Extension where it
    was critical that we relied on science-based information and
    funding through NIFA, through ERS and ARS.
        You mentioned 4-H and youth development. Youth development
    in the 4-H organization is one of the strongest in the world
    because it relies on research-based information and the focus
    on youth development as a body of knowledge, a science for
    really working to improve our young people and their
    leadership. Of course, the technical assistance aspect of
    programs that USDA provides has been critically important.
        At Virginia State University, an 1890 land grant
    institution, we utilize many resources from USDA to address
    small and midsized and minority farmers, things that they
    needed--cold storage infrastructure, micro loans, grant
    opportunities like the Specialty Crop Block Grant, and the 2501
    Program that we have relied on significantly. We also utilized
    resources in nutrition, in terms of trying to expand greater
    usage of SNAP and WIC. Then, of course, how we can access
    small-scale infrastructure through farm storage facility loans
    and others.
        At FSA, I understood the critical safety net that USDA
    provided, the need for a strong crop insurance program,
    directing guaranteed loans, disaster assistance. Very
    important. Then I learned about the connections in the local
    office, where you had co-located NRCS programs that focused on
    conservation the ability to work in that local office through
    those important partnerships and those conservation efforts.
        At the Virginia Department of Agriculture, USDA impacts us,
    and we work with them in many ways--in international trade,
    food safety, for example, food distribution, animal and plant
    health, and, of course, broadband expansion.
        It does not matter the size or the type of operation that
    you are. There is a program at USDA that can work to address
    our most critical needs that we face in agriculture today.
        Chairwoman Stabenow. Great. Well, thank you very much. Just
    in closing my comments, one other question. You mentioned high-
    speed internet access, and when we look at our small towns and
    rural communities, we have a host of challenges. Certainly
    COVID showed us how the lack of high-speed internet access is
    so critical in so many areas. Aging infrastructure, you know,
    maintaining families, sustainable jobs, what more can USDA do
    to address these issues and create economic opportunities in
    rural America?
        Ms. Bronaugh. Well, we have a great opportunity, Senator
    Stabenow. You know, in thinking about opportunity for things
    like clean energy jobs in rural America, there is a great
    opportunity in terms of supporting renewable fuels, bio-based,
    product development, for example. Opportunities to manage our
    forests and grasslands, and you mentioned our broadband
    infrastructure. There are great opportunities through utilizing
    USDA programs such as ReConnect, in reaching that last mile of
    broadband infrastructure. That helps with telehealth, with
    small businesses development, distance learning.
        Also, helping to renew the electrical grid in our rural
    communities is very important, and, of course, USDA has many
    opportunities around that. Improving housing, restoring our
    schools, being able to help with hospitals who can provide
    vaccinations, and then safe drinking water is so important to
    our Tribal communities and our rural communities.
        We have a lot of opportunity through rural development
    programs to make an impact to address climate, to address
    infrastructure, and other important resources for our rural
    communities. If I have the opportunity to be confirmed, I look
    forward to working with all aspects of USDA to continue to
    strengthen our rural communities and make them as strong as
    they can be.
        Chairwoman Stabenow. Thank you so much. I am going to turn
    now to Senator Boozman.
        Senator Boozman. Thank you, Madam Chair, and again, we
    appreciate, Dr. Bronaugh, your willingness to serve. My girls
    also were very active in 4-H. I have three daughters and they
    were all State record-book winners, and it was a tremendous
    benefit, not only to them but to our entire family. We
    appreciate your advocacy there and your hard work.
        Also, I was with Wes Ward, our State Ag Secretary, last
    weekend, and he said to be sure and get on the stick and do all
    I could to help you get confirmed. He is one of your major
    cheerleaders. It is nice to hear from people that actually know
    you well and appreciate the service that you have done.
        Let me ask you about a couple of things that I think are
    important that I want to put in your mind. Section 1005 of the
    American Rescue Plan included ``such sums as necessary'' for
    the cost of loan modifications and payments to socially
    disadvantaged farmers and ranchers who had outstanding Farm
    Service Agency farm loan debt as of January 1, 2021.
        One of the problems that has occurred is that we have heard
    from a number of ag lenders that partner with USDA to make Farm
    Service Agency guaranteed farm loans to socially disadvantaged
    farmers who could be negatively impacted by the program if USDA
    is not careful. These are lenders that, again, are so helpful
    to these individuals.
        If USDA is not careful in how it administers this--Section
    1005 provides for the cost of USDA's lost future interest on
    FSA direct loans--it would be both unfair and unfortunate if
    USDA failed to provide the same relief to FSA's private sector
    lending partners. Also, not only would it be unfair, but I
    think we have the potential of some of those lenders leaving
    the market and making it more difficult for individuals to get
    loans.
        I would ask you to commit to providing the same relief to
    FSA's guaranteed farm lenders and, at the very least, make this
    a priority to find out how we can, again, treat everybody in a
    fair manner.
        Ms. Bronaugh. Thank you, Senator Boozman, and I appreciated
    conservations that I had with you recently, understanding that
    agriculture is 25 percent of the economy in your State. Please
    tell Wes Ward that I said hello. It was good chatting with you.
        Senator Boozman, you talk about a critical issue in terms
    of farm loans, direct and guaranteed loans, and you also talk
    about those loans being available to all farmers. I think as we
    work through some of the challenges, working with our socially
    disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, it will be important to
    ensure that we have those resources in the direct and
    guaranteed loan program. If I have the opportunity to be
    confirmed, I will work with USDA to ensure that through FSA we
    have the loans full and available to all of our Nation's
    farmers and ranchers.
        Senator Boozman. Thank you very much. Dr. Bronaugh, in
    order to ensure legal compliance with FOIA, the Federal Records
    Act, other Federal laws, best practices, and to be as
    transparent as possible, will you commit to ensuring that those
    employed at USDA, whether they are political appointees or
    those that serve in the career service, use official government
    email accounts, not personal email, when discussing or working
    on USDA-related business? Will you further commit to keeping
    Congress informed of USDA's compliance with such laws and
    principles?
        Ms. Bronaugh. Yes. Senator Boozman, if confirmed, I will
    make sure that all USDA employees comply with all rules and
    expectations of the Federal Government. We always want to make
    sure that we are doing business in the most appropriate way.
        Senator Boozman. Also regarding that, if confirmed, will
    you commit, without reservation, to notify Congress in advance
    of any public announcement of any major changes regarding
    policy decisions, programmatic or otherwise, whether made by
    you or the Department during your tenure? Further, if
    confirmed, will you commit to ensuring the Department provides
    timely responses to stakeholders seeking assistance or
    information on programs and practices impacting the agriculture
    community?
        Ms. Bronaugh. Senator Boozman, yes. If confirmed, I will
    commit to timely responses to our important stakeholders, as
    well as to consistent and open communication with Members of
    Congress.
        Senator Boozman. Good. Also, very importantly, letting
    Congress know, letting the Committee know, in advance, with
    programmatic changes. Those things certainly are expected and
    very, very helpful. With that I yield back.
        Chairwoman Stabenow. Thank you very much, Senator Boozman.
    I believe we have Senator Gillibrand is next.
        Senator Gillibrand. Thank you, Madam Chairwoman. Thank you,
    Dr. Bronaugh, for being here today, and congratulations on your
    historic nomination.
        First I would like to talk about dairy. In the 2018 Farm
    Bill, there was language that changed the price calculation for
    Class I milk. This change was implemented in 2019, and what it
    did was change the pricing calculation for Class I milk, which
    previously was calculated to use the ``higher of Class III or
    Class IV price, plus applicable Class I differential, to an
    averaging method of those two classes plus $0.74.'' This
    current Class I milk pricing cannot be changed until May 2021,
    after which it can be modified, either through legislation or
    an amendment to the Federal Milk Marketing Orders.
        I have heard from our dairy farmers across New York and the
    country who have stated this change has caused dairy farmers
    collectively to suffer a net loss of hundreds of millions of
    dollars during the almost two years this rule has been in
    place. Now that we are almost at the full two-year mark for
    this rule to be changed, USDA has an opportunity to resolve
    this issue by giving farmers a chance to revert back to the old
    method of calculating Class I milk by basing it off of the
    higher of Class III or Class IV price. This one change would
    put money back in dairy farmers' pockets immediately.
        Do you think this is a change we should make?
        Ms. Bronaugh. Senator Gillibrand, it is great to meet you.
    Dairy is the third-largest commodity in the commonwealth of
    Virginia, and I do understand the importance of ensuring that
    they get stabilized prices for their milk, and we need to
    support the dairy industry.
        If confirmed, in terms of the milk pricing rule, I look to
    learn more about the process, and, if confirmed, I will
    followup with your office for further discussion to see what
    the USDA can do in order to move forward with the milk pricing
    rule.
        Senator Gillibrand. Thank you. I think it is really
    important that you listen to farmers on this issue. Not all the
    organizations that purport to speak for them actually do. I
    would be grateful if you could commit to holding Federal Milk
    Marketing Order hearings and give a chance for amendments to be
    offered.
        Ms. Bronaugh. Senator Gillibrand, I understand the
    importance of that farmer engagement. It is very important. If
    confirmed, we will be sure to engage in conservations with
    important dairy stakeholders and others prior to making
    decisions.
        Senator Gillibrand. Okay. Earlier this week, the USDA
    announced that they were extending free school meals for all
    students through 2021-2022 school year by continuing the
    existing waivers that had been granted due to the pandemic.
    This is welcome news and gives both schools and parents peace
    of mind that children will have free school meals for at least
    one more year.
        However, we do need to go further and make universal free
    school meals a reality even when a pandemic is not present. Dr.
    Bronaugh, can you speak to what the impact of universal school
    meals has had on children's health, nutrition, and education
    during this pandemic, and will you be a supporter within USDA
    of a universal school meals program, even after the pandemic is
    over?
        Ms. Bronaugh. Senator Gillibrand, you spoke about the
    importance of the school waivers, which I think provide an
    opportunity for food during the pandemic, and nutritious food
    that we can provide in a safe and healthy way. It provides
    flexibilities for our schools to be able to try to meet those
    needs.
        In terms of universal free meals, that is something that I
    think would be incredibly important to, one, look at research
    and data, but to rely on conversations with Congress in order
    to determine how to best move forward. If confirmed, I look
    forward to engaging with your office and other members of this
    Committee to determine how we can continue to offer school
    meals and other nutritional support and flexibilities to our
    school system to do so.
        Senator Gillibrand. Thank you. The economic viability of
    more than 1,300 organic farms in New York depends on making
    sure that all organic operations operate under the same rules
    and that all certifiers are interpreting the standards
    consistently. There are several long-overdue rulemakings that
    are critical to the organic farm sector, including organic
    livestock and poultry practices, the Strengthening Organic
    Enforcement Rule.
        Today, I want to ask you about one specific rulemaking that
    is long overdue, which is the Origin of Livestock regulation,
    which would close loopholes in the organic standards related to
    transitioning of conventional dairy cows into organic dairy
    operations. Those operations that used the loophole to
    continuously transition conventional animals into organic
    production are gaining an economic advantage over the other
    organic dairy farms that are meeting the standard.
        Will you commit to instructing the National Organic Program
    to finalize an enforcement rule on Origin of Livestock as
    quickly as possible so that New York organic dairy operations
    are not so economically disadvantaged?
        Ms. Bronaugh. Senator Gillibrand, I understand the
    importance of the Origin of Livestock rule. If confirmed, I
    will work with USDA to become fully informed on how we will
    need to move forward with this rule, and as such, after
    guidance we will work with your office and any other members of
    this Committee ensuring that we move forward in the appropriate
    way.
        Senator Gillibrand. Thank you, Ms. Bronaugh. I appreciate
    your testimony, and congratulations.
        Chairwoman Stabenow. Thank you very much. Now Senator
    Ernst.
        Senator Ernst. Thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you as
    well, Dr. Bronaugh. It is wonderful to have you in front of the
    Committee today, and I am very excited about the extensive
    experience that you are bringing into this position.
        I do appreciate your dedication to improving farmer mental
    health, and that is an area that I have focused on here in the
    U.S. Senate and worked with Senator Tammy Baldwin. We really
    appreciate the Farmer Stress and Mental Health Task Force in
    Virginia. I think that is a wonderful step forward to ensuring
    the mental health of our farmers and ranchers. Thank you very
    much for that.
        Now one concern that I do have is the use of Executive
    orders by the Biden administration to address climate change
    and to institute policy. I am certain that everyone in this
    room really does care about our environment, and, in fact, I
    would argue that our farmers are our Nation's first
    conservationists. I say that all the time.
        That being said, we have seen countless proposals from the
    30x30 land rule to transitioning the Federal fleet to electric
    vehicles, and just last week we saw USTR announce the need to
    fight climate change with trade policies.
        Clean water, soil, and air are a top priority for our
    farmers, but what I worry is that the Biden administration's
    singular focus on climate policy could actually create an
    environment where our farmers and producers are not seen as
    part of the solution but instead they are being targeted as the
    problem. The path forward really does have to be a bipartisan
    one.
        Will you commit to advocating for our farmers, our
    producers, and rural communities as the administration
    continues to roll out their executive edicts on climate?
        Ms. Bronaugh. Thank you very much, Senator Ernst, and there
    has been a lot of discussion around climate change. As you
    mentioned, it is a bipartisan effort to move forward. As such,
    it will be critical that we keep our farmers first, in any
    discussions and decisions that are made in terms of climate
    change, that anything that we do regarding decisions around
    climate change are voluntary and incentive based.
        If I have the opportunity to be confirmed, I will ensure
    that we keep our farmers, ranchers, and landowners first in
    discussions and plans to address climate change and additional
    efforts in this regard.
        Senator Ernst. Thank you very much. Many of those issues,
    and as I just stated, of course working with USTR and some of
    the announcements there, what I would like to know from you, of
    course, is how you would work with other agencies like the
    USTR, the EPA, a number of those agencies that have shared
    Federal jurisdictions, to defend our farmers and producers with
    the issues that are very important to them? How will you work
    with those other Federal agencies?
        Ms. Bronaugh. Thank you, Senator Ernst, for that question.
    You know, it is important that we always work with Federal
    agencies--I call them our sister agencies--to inform them about
    how the decisions that they make affect our clientele. Things
    that are related to agriculture, forestry, are things that I
    believe our Nation's farmers and ranchers and landowners would
    expect USDA to make critical decisions about.
        If I have the opportunity to be confirmed, I will commit to
    working with Secretary Vilsack to ensure that we stay in
    contact with those agencies, we talk about the impacts of their
    decisions on our clientele, and ensure that we fight for our
    agricultural producers and their rights and needs going
    forward.
        Senator Ernst. Thank you. I really do appreciate that. I
    think it is important, because decisions made in those other
    Federal agencies obviously impact our farmers and ranchers
    which heavily. Congratulations on your nomination, and I
    appreciate your testimony today. Thank you. Thank you, Madam
    Chair.
        Ms. Bronaugh. Thank you.
        Chairwoman Stabenow. Thank you very much. Senator Ernst, as
    you were speaking I was thinking that that is why I am so glad
    we passed the Growing Climate Solutions Act as a voluntary
    program through the USDA. Very important. Thank you for your
    questions.
        I am not sure if we have Senator Warnock with us. If he is,
    he would be next up.
        [No response.]
        Chairwoman Stabenow. If not, we will go to Senator Hyde-
    Smith.
        Senator Hyde-Smith. Thank you, Madam Chairman. I certainly
    appreciate the opportunity to be here today. As a former
    Commissioner of Agriculture, I know that we did not serve
    together, but I sure hear good things about you. In our visit
    before, as I told you, I am very proud of you today.
        One of the things that I am working on in Mississippi right
    now is very important to me. We have had some great discussions
    already in this hearing about dairy, that is very important,
    and climate change. One of the specific things that I am
    working on, that I am going to take this opportunity to discuss
    with you now, and present a question on, is Section 8631 of the
    2018 Farm Bill which authorized a transfer of 150 acres on the
    Homochitto National Forest from the U.S. Forest Service to the
    Scenic Rivers Development Alliance, a regional organization
    dedicated to rural economic development and outdoor recreation,
    in southwest Mississippi.
        The provision in the farm bill authorizing this transfer
    would specifically support much-needed rural economic
    development in southwest Mississippi. There is a lot going on
    in that area regarding agriculture, but this is rural economic
    development that we are focusing on right now.
        The Forest Service has worked with the Scenic Rivers and
    the transfer is nearly complete. We are working on a date now
    for the announcement. The development plan for the land
    includes a lodge-style hotel, conference center, and many other
    amenities that will attract visitors to this remote region and
    pretty part of our State. I am confident it will bring
    tremendous economic benefits to this large rural area. It is
    currently an underserved area, very underserved.
        An updated master plan for the Homochitto National Forest
    would complement Scenic Rivers' development plan in a very
    significant way. This is something that we really need from the
    Forest Service.
        If confirmed, with a confidence the transfer will be
    finalized in the coming weeks, will you help ensure the U.S.
    Forest Service continues working closely with the Scenic Rivers
    Development Alliance to ensure maximum benefits from this
    exciting rural economic development project? We are very
    excited about this project because there has not been anything
    in southwest Mississippi in a very long time. This is a great
    opportunity.
        I am just asking you, if you are confirmed, would you
    continue to work and make sure that this comes to fruition, to
    the best of your ability?
        Ms. Bronaugh. Senator Hyde-Smith, it is great to see you. I
    have my genuine Mississippi logo binder right here with me, and
    it is great to talk about all of the great economic development
    work around agriculture that is done in the State of
    Mississippi. If confirmed, I will confer with the Forest
    Service to ensure that they are able to work closely with the
    Scenic Rivers project and to identify any other challenges and
    issues, and I am happy to followup with your office as a
    followup in this regard.
        Senator Hyde-Smith. Thank you so very much, because that is
    important. I really look forward to working with you. I think
    we are going to see some very good things.
        My second question. In June 2020, the U.S. International
    Trade Commission announced an initiation of a countervailing
    duty investigation on phosphate fertilizer imports from
    Morocco. I raised this issue during Secretary Vilsack's
    confirmation hearing. The imposed tariffs are currently under
    appeal. Since the initiation of this case, the uncertainty of
    available fertilizer supplies has driven costs up
    significantly, at a time when commodity prices are just
    beginning to rebound.
        Now is not the time to increase costs to farmers by as much
    as 25 to 30 percent. We are hearing a lot from our farmers, as
    you can imagine, on this cost increase.
        If confirmed, will you ensure that USDA remains engaged
    with the Department of Commerce to be a voice for American
    agriculture producers as this process continues?
        Ms. Bronaugh. Senator Hyde-Smith, if I have the opportunity
    to be confirmed, I look forward to working with Secretary
    Vilsack and the International Trade Commission to ensure that
    we are in a competitive position to have a solid and affordable
    supply of phosphate fertilizer, and to also utilize USDA
    programs to continue to educate our Nation's producers around
    the efficient and effective use of fertilizer so as not to lead
    to overfertilization.
        Senator Hyde-Smith. Thank you very much for that response.
    We are going to get you another genuine Mississippi notebook to
    make sure that that does not wear out, and if it does, you are
    going to have one to replace it. I so appreciate everything you
    have done for agriculture, and I think you are an outstanding
    nominee and look forward to supporting that.
        Ms. Bronaugh. Thank you.
        Chairwoman Stabenow. Thank you very much. We will now, I
    believe Senator Brown is with us, so we will turn to Senator
    Brown, and then as we are monitoring who is available and who
    is here in the room at the moment, it would be Senator Brown
    and then Senator Tuberville, who is here in person, and then
    Senator Warnock would be the next three, as the situation is
    currently in front of us.
        Senator Brown.
        Senator Brown. Thank you, Madam Chair, and I see on the
    screen my friend, Senator Warnock, who is also coming back to
    the Banking and Housing Committee. In his first year in the
    Senate he has seen the complexities of even schedule, so thank
    you, Senator Stabenow, for that.
        Dr. Bronaugh, congratulations on your nomination. I was
    pleased to learn, when we spoke a few weeks ag--I very much
    enjoyed our telephone conversation--that you spent a few years
    living in Toledo and teaching at Bowling Green State
    University, one of our great State universities in my State. I
    would be more than happy, after you are confirmed, and I plan
    to support you and I am very confident you will be confirmed,
    to welcome you back to northwest Ohio, perhaps, this time to
    talk about soil health in the Western Lake Erie Basin and algae
    blooms, and the challenges for the shallowest of the Great
    Lakes, the shallowest 30 or 40 feet in the Western Basin.
        As I may have told you, my favorite Lake Erie trivia is
    that Lake Erie, of all the Great Lakes' water, Lake Erie is two
    percent of the water but has 50 percent of the fish of all the
    Great Lakes, and that is why it is so, so important that lake
    be clean.
        You had first-hand experience as an Extension agent, and we
    talked. Do Extension agents have the tools they need to stay
    relevant to farmers in rural communities? If the answer is not
    quite a resounding yes, how do we improve this service to help
    communities and American agriculture tackle 21st century
    problems?
        Ms. Bronaugh. Thank you, Senator Brown, and it is great to
    talk to you about my time at Bowling Green State University. I
    appreciate the education and some of the reminders about the
    great town of Bowling Green and that university.
        I come from a background of cooperative extension, which
    has, I think, some of the most powerful networks of really
    providing research-based information to make important change.
    There is that outreach that extends to most counties all across
    the Nation, and it is a powerful network. I think there is
    power in the partnership with the land grant institutions, in
    order to be able to provide the latest in research-based
    information, science-based information that translates into
    effective agricultural practices.
        In Virginia, we are concerned about financial resources to
    support our Extension agents, to make sure that they receive
    the professional development that they need, because they are
    still valued. I think we have great opportunities to really
    further engage them, and as you said, some of the new concerns
    that we have as our world continues to change and our emphasis
    refocus in all areas.
        If confirmed, I very much look forward to working with our
    resources--NIFA, ARS, ERS, and others--to fully engage our
    Extension professionals in fully ensuring that they can meet
    the challenges that face us all today.
        Senator Brown. Thank you. Talk, if you would, as your
    experience as Commissioner of Agriculture, describe your work
    on rural mental health and the best practices to strengthen
    these programs. Ohio has been terribly afflicted with mental
    health issues coming out of opioid addiction, coming out of
    this COVID, coming out of isolation in rural areas, coming out
    of rural poverty, all of that that I know you saw especially in
    southwest Virginia when you were the State Commissioner of
    Agriculture. Talk about what we do with rural mental health.
        Ms. Bronaugh. Senator Brown, I appreciate the opportunity
    to respond, and I will say from a personal standpoint it really
    started with my engagement with dairy farmers, who, when you
    think about the role that a dairy farmer has in milking 365
    days a year, twice a day, sometimes more, no breaks,
    conversations with dairy farmers personally really informed me
    of some of the challenges. We saw many challenges.
        I also remember the president of our Virginia Farm Bureau,
    who is a very successful farmer by all standards, very
    successful person, and he personally talked about sending his
    son to Virginia Tech with the plans to take over the family
    farm, and he said, ``I don't know if there will be a family
    farm for him to take over.'' He said, ``I am stressed out about
    it, and I wanted to make sure I talked with someone.'' He
    looked me in the eye, and he said, ``I need you to do something
    about it.'' I took that very seriously as I embarked on various
    conversations.
        We did form a Farmer Stress Task Force, and, one, we wanted
    to raise the level of awareness of farmer stress; two, we
    wanted to identify resources that farmers could access if they
    needed help, because we all know our farmers and ranchers are
    very proud individuals, who will work through any
    circumstances, and as I said in my opening remarks, stay
    eternally optimistic.
        We are doing that in addition to training Extension agents
    on how to identify when a farmer or landowner was stressed and
    needed assistance, and also working on helping farmers and
    ranchers with working on their finances and being able to
    determine how they can really make decisions about what they
    are going to do to continue to operate or even to opt out, are
    some of the strategies that we have utilized in Virginia, and
    other States have done so as well.
        If I have the opportunity to be confirmed, I would look
    forward to moving forward with how to continue to address that.
        Senator Brown. Thank you. You have my enthusiastic support.
    I would only add--I know my time has expired, Chair Stabenow--
    that I grew up milking. I hear those stories that you share.
    Even though this was 40 years ago, I hear those stories. I grew
    up working, milking Holsteins and Guernseys, mostly Guernseys
    in those days, which shows how old I am. I certainly heard
    those stories of how do we hand this farm over to the next
    generation and the mental health issues that swirl around it.
        Thank you very much. Thanks, Madam Chair.
        Chairwoman Stabenow. Thank you very much. Senator
    Tuberville.
        Senator Tuberville. Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you,
    Doctor, for that comment on mental health. Our farmers have
    really struggled over the last year with this pandemic.
    Sometimes they are forgotten in those critical areas. I really
    enjoyed your visit last week.
        Dr. Bronaugh, Alabama's farmers and rural communities
    consistently work directly with the Department of Agriculture.
    It is a vital Federal department that citizens in Alabama must
    have a working relationship with and open line of dialog.
        From the fields of our commodity producers to the school
    cafeterias and all the rural development needs, including
    broadband deployment, your job with USDA is across a vast area
    of policy, but it also includes direct access to citizens
    across the country.
        Diversified family farms crisscross all over my home State
    of Alabama and we must ensure they continue for decades to
    come. Most of these small businesses have been in the family
    for generations and we cannot allow any government policies to
    drive them out of business. Farmers already have it tough
    competing against Mother Nature and the world market prices.
        Although you do not have a lot of background in production
    agriculture, how will you implement policy and develop
    strategies that keep our rural communities and family farms
    thriving for the future?
        Ms. Bronaugh. Thank you, Senator. That is a great question,
    and I think one of the greatest challenges that we face in our
    family farms is how do we find adequate markets for products? I
    think that is always that question, of how do we identify those
    markets. It will certainly be important to look at all of our
    options, including how we can more fully engage in products
    internationally, in international exports, how we can be
    competitive, either in new market opportunities or more
    competitive in our current trade agreements.
        I think we also want to look at how we can consider
    opportunities in local and regional markets. I think they
    provide great opportunities that will help continue to provide
    economic opportunities for our farmers and ranchers, and even
    more today, the ability to address important climate change
    goals and conservation practices. Those provide considerable
    market benefits for all of our products, for them to be able to
    engage in renewable energy, bio-based markets, ecosystems
    markets. There are significant opportunities around our
    conservation and climate change goals that I think can further
    support our farmers and ranchers, all of our farmers and
    ranchers.
        If I have the opportunity to be confirmed, I will work with
    USDA programs, and Secretary Vilsack, to ensure that we can
    engage our farmers and ranchers in as many market opportunities
    as possible, and to utilize our programs and resources to
    support our farmers.
        Senator Tuberville. Thank you. You know, given your
    backgrounds serving as a State Director with the Farm Service
    Agency, Alabama has suffered in the past with unstaffed and
    deficient offices and county offices around the State. In your
    testimony, you talked about the hands-on approach with visiting
    county offices and State directors. I hope your experience in
    seeing these offices and their needs can assist you as you will
    now have nationwide exposure to FSA offices.
        How will you maintain FSA offices, and specifically, will
    you commit to using all hiring authorities to keep Alabama FSA
    offices fully staffed and trained, because we have terrible
    storms, and have had terrible storms, and we need to be fully
    staffed.
        Ms. Bronaugh. Thank you, Senator, for that question, and I
    recognize again the reason that I visited those offices,
    because I wanted to learn about how the staff and the work in
    those offices impacts the clientele that they serve. Certainly
    our staff in FSA offices need to be recognized for the hard
    work and dedication that they have provided, even during the
    pandemic, in providing critical services to our farmers and
    ranchers. They are in a very important place.
        I understand the staffing needs, and if I have the
    opportunity to be confirmed, I look forward to learning more,
    as I do not have specific details about current staffing
    levels. I did remember Secretary Vilsack, in a recent hearing,
    talking about flexibilities and allowing staff options to
    telework or work face-to-face in the office. We will think
    about creative opportunities to try to address those staffing
    needs, while we continue to work to keep the current workers in
    the office safe. I look forward to, if confirmed, fully looking
    at the staffing needs in the FSA office.
        Senator Tuberville. Thank you, Doctor. Thank you, Madam
    Chair.
        Chairwoman Stabenow. Thank you very much. Next we have
    Senator Lujan, and then next it will be Senator Marshall.
        Senator Lujan. Thank you so much, Madam Chair Stabenow. It
    is an honor to be with you again today, and thank you for this
    important hearing, and the markup today, as well, and
    successful support from all of our colleagues. I also want to
    recognize Ranking Member Boozman for holding this hearing today
    as well. The importance of having the full slate of leadership
    positions confirmed at USDA is essential to addressing the
    pressing issues facing the diverse populations that rely on
    USDA service.
        I am eager to work with the Chairwoman on getting those key
    positions confirmed. I look forward to working with Secretary
    Vilsack and his team to increase opportunities for value-added
    agriculture, acknowledge traditional land and food use and USDA
    programs, address past discriminatory practices and expand
    outreach to those impacted communities.
        I would also be remiss if I did not just recognize the work
    that Secretary Vilsack and his team did to already help some
    farmers that were discriminated against under the previous
    administration, and to be able to make them whole. I just want
    to express my gratitude to the Secretary for that.
        Now historically underserved farmer outreach, Dr. Bronaugh,
    is something very important to me. Now you have a very
    impressive resume. What strikes me the most about your
    background is the breadth of your experience. Importantly, you
    have held positions at the Federal, State, and university
    level. Farmers and ranchers in New Mexico have been impacted by
    these past negative practices at the USDA, and I am grateful
    that this Committee and Congress have identified these
    shortcomings as a top priority to be addressed by this
    administration, and as I opened, have already been recognized
    and corrective action has been taken by Secretary Vilsack and
    his team.
        In addition to the diverse population of farmers and
    ranchers in my State, we also produce a diverse set of
    products, such as the world-famous and best-in-the-world green
    chile. You can find it on everything that we serve and
    everywhere that it goes, and to my colleagues up in Colorado,
    you can be grateful for that chile seed being produced in New
    Mexico, as well, for those chile products that they benefit
    from. Whether you are having green chile or you are having
    Chimayo red, pecans, dairy, cheese, chances are if you are
    eating pizza in the western part of America you are getting
    mozzarella from New Mexico.
        We also pride ourselves on our historic land use and our
    access, traditionally Hispanic communities, programs for Native
    American farmers and producers. As we develop farm assistance
    programs, we must recognize the unique needs of farmers across
    the Nation, and make sure the USDA's policymaking reflects the
    diversity of our Nation's farming communities.
        Will you work with me to address USDA's past discriminatory
    practices and history of ineffective outreach to historically
    underserved populations?
        Ms. Bronaugh. Senator Lujan, it is a pleasure to see you
    today, and I have had the opportunity--you have a great Ag
    Commissioner in New Mexico, and I had an opportunity to visit,
    and the green chiles were a little hot for me but it was very
    good to have that opportunity.
        You know, you bring up a very important point about
    socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and farmers of
    color. I think the Biden administration has been clear about
    making racial equity a priority. Secretary Vilsack, as you
    stated, has been also fully committed as we recognize that we
    have been impacted by the cumulative effects of years of not
    addressing policies and regulations and guidelines that have
    impacted our farmers of color who bring a great amount of value
    to agricultural production.
        We have been fortunate, with recent funding through the
    American Rescue Plan, to have resources to address the needs of
    socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. If I have the
    opportunity to be confirmed I look forward in engaging with the
    USDA to expand the work that we are currently doing to ensure
    that we remove barriers, provide technical assistance and
    outreach to engage all of our farmers and ranchers of color.
        Senator Lujan. Dr. Bronaugh, how do you plan on bringing a
    fresh approach to how USDA conducts outreach to these
    populations?
        Ms. Bronaugh. Thank you, Senator Lujan. One of the things
    that you mentioned is my varied background, and one of the
    things that I was able to learn on the ground, especially
    working with Extension and doing work at the university was,
    you know, the type of outreach. We have many opportunities to
    engage people in socially disadvantaged communities' trust. I
    have been able to work with community-based organizations and
    faith-based organizations, working with Tribal leaders and
    others in order to ensure that critical resources get to those
    communities to further engage them.
        If I am confirmed, I look forward to engaging with all of
    our stakeholders to determine how we can get information out
    effectively, it reaches the audiences we need to serve, that
    they understand how to use the resources and tools at USDA and
    can be fully engaged in our programs.
        Senator Lujan. Thank you. Madam Chair Stabenow, I do have a
    few other questions. I will submit them into the record so we
    can just get a response there.
        Chairwoman Stabenow. Absolutely.
        Senator Lujan. I definitely want to thank Dr. Bronaugh for
    being here today, and I yield back the balance of my time.
        Chairwoman Stabenow. Thank you so much.
        Senator Marshall.
        Senator Marshall. Thank you, Madam Chair, and I just wanted
    to start by saying thank you and congratulations on getting the
    Growing Climate Solutions Act of 2021 out of Committee, Ranking
    Member Boozman, Senator Braun as well. We probably will not
    make the news tonight, but this may be the most significant
    legislation that comes out of this body this year. This is an
    example of how it is supposed to work up here. I appreciate you
    letting a freshman Senator from Kansas having some input on the
    bill, and truly believe that we can take two plus two, using
    your ideas, our ideas, and make eight out of it.
    Congratulations, and really, thank you from all the ag
    producers in the State of Kansas for letting us give input on
    that bill.
        Chairwoman Stabenow. Thank you so much for your support and
    input.
        Senator Marshall. You are welcome. I will turn now, of
    course, to Dr. Bronaugh. It is great to meet you virtually. I
    want to talk about biofuels for just a second. Farmers and
    ranchers are the original conservationists. Nobody is more
    motivated to leave our environment cleaner, healthier, safer,
    for our children, for our grandchildren than farmers and
    ranchers. I think biofuels can have a great impact on that and
    for this entire world.
        I am convinced that the carbon footprint of a renewable
    diesel or biodiesel-driven cars, tractors have a lower carbon
    output from start to finish. When you look through the whole
    cycle of making everything that goes in that car or truck, to
    the tailpipe emission, to the final disposal of that, that they
    will have a lower carbon footprint than electric cars. I am
    just curious about your thoughts on biofuels.
        Ms. Bronaugh. Senator Marshall, it is great to see you and
    chat with you about all the creative work you all are doing in
    the State of Kansas. You know, we think about, you mentioned
    the Growing Climate Solutions Act and all of our work that we
    will do to address climate change, and, you know, we will be
    challenged to use many tools in our tool belt for doing so. The
    use of biofuels, ethanol, and bioenergy have a critical role to
    play in helping to reduce carbon emissions and helping to
    address critical climate change goals.
        I think it will be very important to educate people on the
    environmental benefits of biofuels and bioenergy, to expand
    uses for bioenergy--you know, there are opportunities with uses
    in sustainable jet fuel, in the fleet of vehicles at USDA and
    our sister agencies--and really promote renewable fuels
    production and infrastructure development so we can expand the
    use of biofuels, and more people can purchase biofuel. That we
    can also think about how we can utilize bioenergy production
    and renewable fuels to create clean energy job throughout rural
    America.
        If I have the opportunity to be confirmed, I will join
    Secretary Vilsack and members of the industry, corn industry
    and others, in fully supporting the use of biofuels and
    bioenergy to reach important climate change goals.
        Senator Marshall. Thank you for that answer, and we do
    appreciate your support.
        I want to talk just for a second about NIFA and ERS, that
    those offices were moved to the greater Kansas City metro area.
    Gosh, it feels like two years ago that I was there welcoming
    them. The whole concept is, No. 1, it would save American
    taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars by having that
    office located in Kansas City as opposed to expensive
    realestate in Washington, DC.--the cost of living is a little
    bit less there--but more importantly, putting those offices
    closer to the people who use those services.
        We just want to know your commitment to keep those offices
    there in Kansas City and see this mission through. It was given
    years of study and it was felt like that was the best solution.
    We are proud to have them there. We are very proud that they
    are in triangle of agriculture, education, excellence. All my
    hats off to the Virginia schools, but we are very proud of the
    opportunities there in Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, just
    to say a few States right there.
        How would you feel about supporting keeping those offices
    there?
        Ms. Bronaugh. Thank you, Senator Marshall, for that
    question. You know, I have read about the move of NIFA and ERS.
    Certainly Kansas is a great State. I do understand, from
    reading an Office of Personnel Management survey, that the
    change did affect staffing challenges. I have not discussed any
    details about how USDA will move forward with regards to a
    Kansas City location or other locations. You know, I am sure
    that Secretary Vilsack is aware of how we will move forward,
    and, if confirmed, I look forward to engaging with the
    Secretary regarding any other decisions around NIFA and ERS.
        Senator Marshall. Thank you so much, and I yield back.
        Chairwoman Stabenow. Thank you very much, Senator. Senator
    Warnock is next, and then Senator Grassley.
        Senator Warnock. Thank you so much, Madam Chair, and Dr.
    Bronaugh, congratulations on your historic nomination to be
    Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Your
    resume speaks for itself, Commissioner of Ag for the State of
    Virginia, State Director of the Farm Service Agency, Dean at
    Virginia State. You are more than qualified, and you are indeed
    the right pick for the job.
        I also appreciate the time that we had the other day,
    discussing some of my priorities ahead of today's hearing. As
    you know, I am very pleased to have my Emergency Relief for
    Farmers of Color Act included in the American Rescue Plan,
    signed into law by President Biden. This targeted relief,
    including debt relief on outstanding USDA loans, and $1 billion
    in investment will help farmers of color recover from the
    economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, while also beginning
    the long process of addressing years--decades, really--of
    systemic racial discrimination against farmers of color at the
    hands of their own U.S. Department of Agriculture.
        Dr. Bronaugh, if confirmed, you and your office will play a
    critical role in implementing these provisions for farmers of
    color. Do I have your commitment to work with me and others on
    the implementation of these provisions?
        Ms. Bronaugh. Senator Warnock, great to see you, and I
    appreciate the opportunity to speak with you earlier this week.
    You know, I talked about the commitment of addressing racial
    equity. We have lost 90 percent of black farmers over the
    years, and that is a critical loss. Secretary Vilsack has
    spoken publicly that he looks forward to me working with him to
    help address this issue. We have been fortunate to receive
    funding from the American Rescue Plan, as you noted, to be able
    to support our farmers and ranchers of color.
        We are also fortunate that we will have funds to establish
    an equity commission, which I imagine I will be engaged with,
    and a racial justice and equity working group, who is already
    identifying gaps and barriers to programs. I would imagine I
    will be closely involved with that. If I have the opportunity
    to be confirmed, will work with members of this Committee and
    other important stakeholders in ways that I will be closely
    engaged in moving forward to address this important issue.
        Senator Warnock. Well, I am grateful to know that you will
    ensure that the voices of farmers of color are heard at the
    highest levels of our U.S. Department of Agriculture. It is
    something I have also discussed with Secretary Vilsack, and he
    is very much aware of my concerns there, and again, decades of
    discrimination and deep disappointment, which has led to deep
    distrust, and understandably so from farmers of color. All of
    this, of course, exacerbated by the pandemic.
        As we look ahead, Georgia farmers are seeking guidance from
    the USDA on the implementation of these provisions. They need
    guidance on how debt relief will be administered, and a better
    understanding of just how they can provide input in regard to
    the $1 billion in investments aimed at supporting farmers of
    color.
        A concern that I keep hearing from farmers of color who
    are, again, encouraged by the legislation but, honestly, they
    said, ``Senator, we are worried, and we are concerned that we
    are going to get disappointed again.'' They are frustrated, in
    the meantime, that their loan payments have not been paused by
    the USDA as it stands up these programs. They have concerns
    about engaging with their local Farm Service Agency.
        Dr. Bronaugh, if confirmed, what is your plan for ensuring
    that these concerns are being heard and addressed as the USDA
    works behind the scenes to stand up these programs?
        Ms. Bronaugh. Senator Warnock, you bring up some very valid
    points, and, you know, we talked about this in our phone call,
    and we have a lot of opportunities. I think what is very
    important is as we have--and I acknowledge the distrust that
    you stated, because it is important to not talk the talk but to
    walk the walk. We have received funding, again, from the
    American Rescue Plan.
        There is something that I learned from my work in
    Extension. There is something called outputs and there is
    something called impact. I think, going forward, as we work
    through ensuring that these resources are made available, we
    have the output. We have gotten the resources. I think it is
    going to be important for us to establish a way to measure, to
    gather the right data to ensure that we are making impact.
    Because the outputs are good, but if we are not making the
    impact, then we are not reaching the goal.
        Being able to ensure that we gather the right data, that we
    followup with accountability measures, and we are able to
    translate that and see the translation into impacts for farmers
    of color will be critically important. If I have the
    opportunity to be confirmed as Deputy Secretary, I imagine that
    I will be closely engaged in my role with ensuring that we
    follow those accountability measures and make that impact.
        Senator Warnock. Thank you so much, Dr. Bronaugh. Again,
    congratulations on your nomination. I look forward to
    supporting your confirmation on the floor, and also having you
    and Secretary Vilsack come to Georgia to meet with farmers of
    color. Again, thanks.
        Chairwoman Stabenow. Thank you very much, Senator. Now
    Senator Grassley.
        Senator Grassley. Congratulations, Dr. Bronaugh. My first
    question was going to be what Senator Tuberville said to you
    about the FSA offices, so I do not have to ask that. I know
    that you have been in charge of those offices on a very direct
    basis, so I know you know their importance.
        I am going to start with interest to read about your work
    in launching the Farmer Stress Task Force to raise awareness
    and to coordinate resources to address farmer stress and mental
    health issues. Over the recent years, we have seen too high of
    a suicide rate among farmers. Senator Tester and I introduced a
    bipartisan bill to raise the awareness about mental health
    among farmers. The Seeding Rural Resilience Act was passed by
    Congress, signed into law last year. The bill will improve
    mental health care for farming families by implementing suicide
    prevention training programs at USDA, and I would see the FSA
    offices as being very prime in that effort.
        What parts of your Farmer Stress Task Force have worked
    well in the State of Virginia and could be implemented at the
    Federal level?
        Ms. Bronaugh. Thank you, Senator Grassley. It is very nice
    to meet you, and I appreciate you giving me an opportunity to
    talk a little bit more about the Farmer Stress efforts. I would
    say, from my experience, being able to educate and empower more
    people to identify stress issues and mental health issues
    amongst our farmers and ranchers--and I would dare say it is
    not just our farmers and ranchers, it is also the family
    members and folks who are closest to these family members--who
    need help.
        As we have been able to move forward, we have utilized
    Extension, but I think we also have a great opportunity to
    educate our CEDs and county offices to be able to identify
    stress, because farmers will open up to people whom they trust,
    and if they can trust people to be there and to provide
    guidance and to identify when there is an issue, we have the
    greatest opportunity to address the issue.
        As I think about how we will move forward, being able to
    utilize people who work in local offices, whether it is NRCS,
    Rural Development, or other offices, to be able to identify key
    issues is going to be powerful in helping us to address the
    issues. Also, I think States have greatly benefited from the
    Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network funding. As I have
    stated at VDACS, that was going to be something that having
    that resource at the State level would be incredibly important
    in conducting training and more outreach.
        If confirmed, I look forward to the efforts that we can
    take at USDA to address this critical issue.
        Senator Grassley. There is an Executive order that
    President Biden signed on January 29th that proposes a
    conservator retire 30 percent of the agricultural land by 2030.
    I suppose it is not fair for me to ask whether you support that
    Executive order, because you did not have anything to do with
    it. Widespread retiring of one-third of the farmland is going
    to affect how we are going to feed nine billion people midterm
    of this century. How do you think that kind of removal of
    farmland from production would impact agriculture, besides the
    fact that it is going to make it more difficult to feed nine
    billion people?
        Ms. Bronaugh. Thank you, Senator Grassley. You talk about
    the importance of working to feed nine billion people by 2050.
    I also understand that this, 30x30, is a priority of this
    administration, so we are going to have to work together to
    determine how, one, we can get farmers, ranchers, and forest
    landowners engaged in regenerative agriculture--many have been
    for quite a long time.
        It is important that I highlight that it is not just going
    to be land that is in conservation but our working lands that
    are going to be very critical. Our farmers, ranchers, and
    landowners have a long history of stewardship, and the
    utilization of working land, voluntary, incentive-based, that
    we can collect locally with conservation efforts will be
    critical in moving forward. We will continue to determine how
    we can utilize working lands as an integral part of addressing
    30x30 goals, the challenges.
        If confirmed, I look forward to working with members of
    this Committee, also with our farmers and ranchers, important
    stakeholders and organizations to determine how we can reach
    this goal and utilize our current effort in working lands in
    doing so.
        Senator Grassley. Thank you, Madam Chairman.
        Chairwoman Stabenow. Thank you very much, Senator Grassley.
    Now we have Senator Hoeven. I think he is with us remotely.
        Senator Hoeven. Thank you, Madam Chairman. Dr. Bronaugh,
    great to see you again. Thanks so much for visiting with me the
    other day. I really appreciate it and spending so much time
    talking about important ag issues. Again, very much
    appreciated.
        One of the things I emphasized to you is we worked hard to
    get the Quality Loss Adjustment program, QLA program, and the
    WIC+. I think WIC+ may be something we are going to have to
    continue. I am already hearing from some farmers in that
    regard.
        My first question is, will you work with us to make sure
    that we get the WIC+, and particularly the QLA, out the door as
    soon as we can, in line with the program parameters that we put
    into legislation?
        Ms. Bronaugh. Senator Hoeven, it is great to see you, and I
    am very relieved that the fact that I went to James Madison
    University is not a reason that you do not plan to confirm me--
    --
        [Laughter.]
        Senator Hoeven. We have a great rivalry there, between NDSU
    and James Madison. That is going to be fun.
        Ms. Bronaugh. We hopefully can talk about that going
    forward. You mentioned the WIC+ and QLA. I always, you know,
    think of disaster assistance programs, it is not if the next
    disaster will happen, it is when the next disaster will happen.
    If I have the opportunity to be confirmed, I look forward to
    learning more about the status of these important programs,
    and, as such, I am happy to followup with your office in
    determining the most appropriate way to move forward. I know
    they are very important programs. I seek to learn a little bit
    more. Certainly I want to support any efforts for addressing
    disaster assistance that we have available.
        Senator Hoeven. Thank you. That is an absolute priority,
    and I have worked a lot with our Ranking Member as well as the
    Chairwoman on those programs, so I appreciate that.
        Also, I know a program that is going to be very important
    to the Chair is the carbon capture program, and, of course,
    there is legislation that she has led on that. I am certainly
    willing to work on it, as I have told her and I told you. Can
    you assure me that we are going to make sure that whatever we
    do in regard to the carbon capture programs that they are
    farmer friendly?
        Ms. Bronaugh. Senator Hoeven, you bring up a very important
    point. For those of us who have committed years of work in
    agriculture, we understand the importance of any new efforts,
    especially one around the notion of a carbon bank, carbon
    capture efforts, that they absolutely be voluntary and
    incentive-based, and provide market opportunities for our
    farmers and ranchers.
        In effort to move forward it is going to be very important
    that we engage, actively engage, our agricultural producers in
    how we move forward in the most effective way, that brings
    benefit to them, that utilizes the practices that they have
    been doing for years, and that we really move forward with a
    common-sense approach to addressing climate change. Also an
    effort that we have around job creation, in terms of
    agriculture conservation and other important businesses.
        If confirmed, I look forward to fully engaging our farmers,
    ranchers, and landowners in any efforts to address climate
    change and to establish a carbon bank.
        Senator Hoeven. Will you commit to ensure that the CCC
    funding, Commodity Credit Corp, continues to go for the
    priorities in the farm bill, as it always has?
        Ms. Bronaugh. Senator Hoeven, I clearly understand that the
    purpose of the CCC is to support important farm bill programs,
    and, if confirmed, I look forward to working with Secretary
    Vilsack to learn more about the use of the CCC.
        Senator Hoeven. We need to get you to North Dakota, and you
    need to see what we are doing at Grand Farm. I know you know a
    little bit about it, because we talked about it. Also we worked
    to put in place the RISE program and fund it. We put money in
    it the last two cycles, and we will do it again through ag
    appropriations. Will you come out and see it, and will you help
    make sure that we enable them to access the RISE program to
    continue to do amazing things in precision ag?
        Ms. Bronaugh. Yes, I appreciate the opportunity, Senator
    Hoeven, to visit Grand Farm and all the work that you are doing
    in innovation and the use of precision agriculture, which is
    very important, and, if confirmed, I look forward to visiting,
    to learn more about that important work and opportunities to
    support the work that is being done out there.
        Senator Hoeven. Well, that is good because we are also then
    going to give you a tour of NDSU, and I don't know if you
    should wear your James Madison jacket or not. I will leave that
    entirely up to you.
        I do have some other questions for the record, Madam Chair,
    which I will submit, regarding livestock. We are a cow-calf
    State, livestock ranching, extremely important to us. The sugar
    program, in the Red River Valley in the north, that is a $3
    billion industry. Then crop insurance is our No. 1 risk
    management tool. We feel that it has to be strongly supported.
        I will add a few more questions for the record, but being
    respectful of my time here I will wrap. Just, again, thank you,
    Dr. Bronaugh. I really appreciate our opportunities to visit
    and the way that you have approached these important issues.
        Ms. Bronaugh. Thank you, Senator Hoeven, and I would not
    wear my purple and gold when I come to North Dakota.
        Senator Hoeven. Fantastic. Thank you.
        Chairwoman Stabenow. Well, thank you, Senator Hoeven, and
    you mentioned a number of things, issues that you and I both
    care deeply about. I just want to say, you have never invited
    me to North Dakota to get a tour, so I am a little hurt right
    now. Maybe I can tag along.
        Senator Hoeven. Madam Chair, you are invited any time. You
    know that. We would love to have you out there.
        Chairwoman Stabenow. All right.
        Senator Hoeven. Thank you.
        Chairwoman Stabenow. I will take you up on it.
        Now, Senator Braun.
        Senator Braun. Thank you, Madam Chair. Dr. Bronaugh, good
    to talk to you here today. I am lucky that I still, each week,
    go back to my farm in Indiana. I am a tree farmer, and to the
    extent I can still be involved in the row crop side of
    agriculture, that I have been a part of for over 30 years, it
    is kind of my therapy for this new job.
        I have got a question. I have heard concern, especially
    since we just got the Growing Climate Solutions Act out of
    Committee, which, of course, aligns farmers, both tree and ag,
    with these private voluntary markets. Some of the reservations
    that we had to work through, at least on my side of the aisle,
    to get to this point, would have been addressing the
    conversation around the Commodity Credit Corporation being
    involved in a carbon bank.
        Things can evolve in a direction on any issue with time,
    but I think here we have just gotten to a place where, if that
    did occur--and I would love to hear your opinion and what you
    might advise to President Biden--I think it would set us back
    significantly.
        I think to get bipartisanship out of the gate on this
    serious issue, the more we can do it through technology,
    innovation, and through the private sector, especially maybe in
    light of the financial condition of the Federal Government
    currently, I would like to hear your comments on that, please.
        Ms. Bronaugh. Thank you, Senator Braun. Great question. Of
    course, we have an opportunity to work very closely with
    private industry in regard to how we move forward.
        In regard to the use of the CCC, again, I understand that
    its critical role is to support our farm bill programs, and
    again, you know, I am not yet at USDA, but if I have the
    opportunity to be confirmed, will assure that speak with
    Secretary Vilsack on how we will move forward with the use of
    the CCC.
        Senator Braun. I do hope that you will, because I think
    that in the year and a half that I have been on our Senate
    Climate Caucus, we have made so much headway getting it to be a
    bipartisan discussion. I think there are certain things that
    would undermine that if it is not given careful consideration.
        One other question. What is your view on the Phase 1
    agreement between U.S. and China? Do you believe that President
    Biden, should you get the post, are you going to advise him to
    enforce the deal? In my conversation with Hoosier farmers, I
    constantly hear that they think that that was a part of getting
    through a tough period with a tough counterpart and negotiator,
    on the part of the Chinese. What is your recommendation there
    in terms of, did you like it, and would you advise to continue
    it?
        Ms. Bronaugh. Senator Braun, great question. Certainly
    China is a huge market for United States agricultural products.
    Secretary Vilsack has been clear about working to engage in
    many of our export opportunities. I think there is a need to
    understand the market of China and ways that we can engage with
    China. We have seen benefits in their purchases of corn, wheat,
    sorghum, cotton, and other proteins.
        If I have the opportunity to be confirmed, I look forward
    to working with Secretary Vilsack, with the White House, the
    State Department, and the U.S. Trade Representative's Office to
    determine how we can move forward with China as a very big
    export market.
        Senator Braun. I think my advice, from being so deeply
    involved in agriculture, is that it was kind of working, and do
    not be beguiled by the Chinese. I think the one thing we have
    learned across any conversation with them is what they do now
    may not represent what their true motives, or what they might
    do down the road. I think they do respect when you take a
    stance with them, that make sure that we are thinking long
    term. They certainly do.
        Thank you for your time.
        Chairwoman Stabenow. Thank you very much, Senator Braun. I
    believe that Senator Thune is with us, remotely, I believe.
        Senator Thune. Madam Chair, let me start by, Dr. Bronaugh,
    congratulations on your nomination. There is obviously a lot of
    talk today about climate, given the President's ongoing climate
    summit. During the first week in office, January 27th, the
    President issued a climate change executive order, which
    included the directive for USDA and other departments to come
    up with recommendation to conserve at least 30 percent of our
    land and waters by 2030, commonly referred to as 30x30.
        While the details on this directive have not been released
    yet, I have already heard from ranchers and landowners in South
    Dakota who are concerned about potential measures this
    administration may pursue to meet 30x30, including Federal land
    acquisitions and burdensome regulations on private landowners.
    Those are concerns that I share. The Federal Government, in my
    view, should not be acquiring more land when it is often not
    able to properly manage the Federal lands it already possesses.
        My question is, what are your views on the 30x30 directive,
    and, if confirmed, what efforts would you take to ensure this
    directive does not ultimately result in efforts to acquire more
    Federal land and to impose onerous regulations on private
    landowners?
        Ms. Bronaugh. Senator Thune, great to see you. You
    mentioned this is an administrative goal, and one thing I want
    to highlight again is the fact that we will have to consider
    different lands, and working lands will be critically important
    and being at the center of this issue. We need to keep working
    lands working.
        We have an opportunity to partner with our farmers, forest
    landowners and others in a way to do that, and recognizing the
    history of stewardship, to honor property rights and to assure
    that we have voluntary, incentive-based opportunities for our
    farmers and our forest landowners to participate. If confirmed,
    I will ensure that we continue to work in local efforts, in a
    collaborative way, to ensure that we keep our working lands
    working and help meet important climate change goals.
        Senator Thune. Okay. I agree with you 100 percent on that.
    I think the question is, should our landowners out there be
    worried about the Federal Government acquiring more land?
        Ms. Bronaugh. Senator Thune, I think that there will be a
    lot more opportunities to make decisions about how we move
    forward in engaging with that, and, if confirmed, I look
    forward to hearing more and learning more regarding how we need
    to move forward.
        Senator Thune. You will be hearing a lot from us, at least
    from the people I represent, when it comes to land acquisition.
    I just think that that is an issue that really should not be a
    part of this conversation, given the vast amount of Federal
    land that the Federal Government already owns and operates and
    manages, and many of the issues we have associated with those.
        Which brings me to my second point, and that is I just want
    to raise the issue of the forest. We just had a big timber
    plant close in South Dakota, in a community where those jobs
    are pretty much the entire community, and families are affected
    by that.
        I have long advocated, I think as you know because I
    mentioned this to you on our phone call, for a robust timber
    sale program in order to mitigate the risk of wildfires and to
    support the local economy.
        Could you tell me what your views are on proactive
    management of our forests, and, if confirmed, will you commit
    to working with me and stakeholders on a path forward for the
    timber sale program that appropriately balances the health of
    the forest and the health of the regional economy?
        Ms. Bronaugh. Thank you, Senator Thune. I appreciate our
    conversation about the Black Hills timber sawmill and the
    impact that it had on job loss in your State. I think it is
    critically important that as we move forward we think about and
    focus on ensuring that we increase the scale and pace of forest
    management. I know there are opportunities to support wood
    products, sustainable bioenergy. If I have the opportunity to
    be confirmed, I will work with the Forest Service, work with
    members of this Committee to determine how we can fully protect
    and manage our forests, but also fully benefit from wood
    products and sustainable bioenergy and biobased materials.
        Senator Thune. My last question has to do with the issue of
    Country of Origin labeling. I have sent a letter to USDA
    requesting the Department address a loophole that has allowed
    beef from cattle that were not born, raised, and harvested in
    the United States to be labeled as Product of the USA. USDA
    initiated the rulemaking process, but a rule has not been
    finalized.
        If confirmed, how would you approach closing this loophole
    and ensuring accurate labeling of meat products?
        Ms. Bronaugh. Senator Thune, that is a great question.
    Country of Origin labeling is something that I am familiar, in
    understanding that there have been some challenges with world
    trade organizations' determination, and I seek to learn more
    about that issue. I look forward to getting briefed, once
    confirmed, about Country of Origin labeling and the most
    appropriate way to move forward, and will be happy to followup
    with your office and other members of this Committee in talking
    about the best way to move forward with that issue.
        Senator Thune. Thank you.
        Chairwoman Stabenow. Thank you very much, Senator Thune.
        We have now reached the end of our confirmation hearing,
    and I want to thank you again, Dr. Bronaugh, for being here. It
    is clear to me you have very strong experience as an advocate
    for farmers and ranchers, and your work on the ground with our
    producers will really be invaluable as the Department works to
    improve service to every part of agriculture.
        I strongly support your nomination and look forward to
    moving it forward as quickly as possible.
        That concludes today's hearing. The record will remain open
    until tomorrow at 5 p.m. for members to submit additional
    questions and statements. Thank you again to our Ranking
    Member. Thank you for your partnership. The hearing is
    adjourned.

        [Whereupon, at 11:56 a.m., the Committee was adjourned.]

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                                A P P E N D I X

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                       DOCUMENTS SUBMITTED FOR THE RECORD

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                             QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

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