USDA News: Second High Ranking Official Resigns Within 2 Weeks

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USDA News: Second High Ranking Official Resigns Within 2 Weeks

Dallas Tonsager, the USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development is the second high ranking official within the Department to announce his resignation within a two week period. Tonsager, who has served in this post since May 2009 announced his resignation just 12 days after USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan released a statement indicating that she would be leaving the department.

Based solely on Tonsager’s and Merrigan’s respective statements, it is unclear whether there is any connection between their departures.

USDA released Tosanger’s statement on March 27th, in which Tonsager highlighted USDA accomplishments in Rural Development during his tenure.

“In recent years, Rural Development has carried out more work to help rural communities than at any other time in the agency’s history,” said Tonsager. “We have provided affordable, quality housing in rural America, helped tens of thousands of rural businesses, and played a key role in helping rural Americans create homegrown energy. We’ve achieved these results with a shrinking staff and an uncertain budget, but I never questioned the commitment of our team at Rural Development. Leading this group of 5,000 talented men and women has been an honor.”

More information about Tonsager’s work as Under Secretary, including his work prior to his appointment, can be found on the USDA Rural Development Under Secretary webpage.

Find useful sources of information about agricultural politics and policy at the beginningfarmers.org’s Farm Policy and Agricultural Politics page.