Tennessee native and Obion County farmer Stephen Vaden was officially confirmed as U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) deputy secretary. While technically not sworn in at time of printing, his confirmation by the Senate was the biggest step in getting him back to work for USDA.
“We congratulate Stephen Vaden on his confirmation as deputy secretary of agriculture,” said Tennessee Farm Bureau President Eric Mayberry. “As a fellow Tennessean and someone who deeply understands the challenges and opportunities facing American agriculture, Vaden brings valuable experience, strong leadership and a clear commitment to serving our rural communities. We look forward to working with him to advance the interests of agriculture across our state and nation.
During President Trump’s first term, Vaden served as USDA general counsel. Then, in 2020, President Trump appointed him as judge on the U.S. Court of International Trade where he has served for the past five years. Prior to his professional career, Vaden grew up on his family’s row crop farm in Union City and looks to take those values and his passion for the industry to his new role as deputy secretary.
“We’ve got to be a voice to let all the policymakers know what the policies they are considering will do in rural America and suggest ways those policies can better help rural America,” said Vaden. “You can rest assured I will be a voice within the administration, letting them know where there are opportunities to do more for rural America and America’s farmers.”
Through Vaden’s experience on the U.S. Court of International Trade, there’s no doubt trade is an important focus for him. He believes it is an aspect of the economy vital to the success of American agriculture.
“As a judge who has served on a court possessing exclusive jurisdiction over most of the country’s trade matters, I hope to bring this experience to bear in advising the secretary and her team on opportunities to remove trade barriers hindering market access,” said Vaden.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins welcomes his advice and is looking forward to having him officially join the team at USDA soon.
“The Trump administration is putting together an all-star team to follow through on the America First agenda sent to Washington. Judge Vaden is a seasoned lawyer and patriot dedicated to putting farmers first,” said Secretary Rollins. “I welcome his experience serving in the first Trump administration, and I look forward to him returning to USDA to serve alongside me as deputy secretary of agriculture.”
President Mayberry couldn’t agree more and emphasizes how much our most important industry will benefit from his commonsense approach and valuable experience. He says, “I think especially now with the challenges facing agriculture, to have someone with his experience and his down-to-earth values and knowledge of the industry is going to be tremendous for us.”