Spearheaded by Tennessee Farm Bureau and American Farm Bureau, more than 200 farmers, ranchers, agribusinesses, cooperatives, state departments of agriculture, processors, growers and conservationists signed a letter of strong support for the nomination of Stephen Vaden as U.S. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture.
“While we might be biased towards Judge Vaden and his Tennessee roots, no one can argue that his extensive experience and deep-rooted commitment to American agriculture make him exceptionally well-qualified to serve in this role,” said Tennessee Farm Bureau President Eric Mayberry. “We are confident his actions will make a profound impact on our farmers across the state, and encourage swift action from the U.S. Senate to confirm him.”
More about Stephen Vaden:
A native of Union City, Tennessee, Judge Vaden grew up working with his father on his family’s diversified row crop farm, instilling in him a lifelong passion for agriculture. This passion has guided his impressive career, which spans agriculture, law and public service. His academic credentials include a law degree from Yale University, and his professional background includes time at two prominent law firms and two federal clerkships.
Judge Vaden has already demonstrated outstanding leadership within USDA. During his tenure as General Counsel from 2017 to 2020, he supervised over 250 legal professionals across 13 offices, providing guidance on matters vital to the agricultural community. His accomplishments included successfully litigating two cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, implementing key provisions of the 2018 farm bill and leading the development of critical regulations for the sale of hemp and bioengineered product labeling.
Currently serving as a judge on the U.S. Court of International Trade, Judge Vaden brings a unique understanding of agriculture’s role in international markets. His work addressing federal trade issues, including those involving agricultural commodities, will be indispensable as USDA continues to navigate global trade challenges and create a level playing field and expanded opportunities for U.S. farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses.
