Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young serves as the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics, and as USDA’s Chief Scientist. The REE mission area is comprised of more than 8,500 employees across five organizations including the Agricultural Research Service, Economic Research Service, National Agricultural Statistics Service, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, and the Office of the Chief Scientist. Together, these five organizations advance agricultural research, innovation, data, and extension addressing agriculture’s highest priorities, such as climate-smart agriculture, nutrition security, food safety, and the strengthening of food supply chains.

Prior to being appointed by President Biden to serve as the REE Under Secretary, Dr. Jacobs-Young was the ARS Administrator for 8 years. She is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the National Academy of Public Administration.

She holds M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from North Carolina State University.