ProPublica: Trump to Pick Non-Scientist as USDA Chief Scientist

ProPublica: Trump to Pick Non-Scientist as USDA Chief Scientist

Sam Clovis already serves in the Trump Administration as a senior White House advisor and has been described as President Donald Trump’s “eyes and ears” at USDA. Now, ProPublica, the Washington Postand others are reporting that Clovis may soon be tapped to serve as USDA’s chief scientist.

There’s just one catch: Clovis doesn’t really have much of a science-based background.

The Office of the Chief Scientist at USDA “strives to inform policy and programmatic decisions within the Department by providing the best available scientific advice and input,” according to USDA. It is instrumental in ensuring that any science conducted by USDA reached policymakers and decision leaders at a national and international level. This position also oversees NASS, ERS and other agency economic bureaus.

According to the position’s description, the chief scientist must be selected “from among distinguished scientists with specialized training or significant experience in agricultural research, education, and economics.”

But as ProPublica reports, Clovis has a doctorate in public administration, and he was a tenured professor of business and public policy for a decade at Morningside College. During that time, he rarely published any academic work. Clovis is also notably a vocal climate change skeptic.

Some groups, including the Union of Concerned Scientists, have criticized the possibility of Clovis assuming this role.

“If the president goes forward with this nomination, it’ll be yet another example of blatant dismissal of the value of scientific expertise among his administration appointees,” said director Ricardo Salvador in a statement. “Continuing to choose politics over science will give farmers and consumers little confidence that the administration has their interests at heart.”

Clovis may score points with farm country on some of his positions such as his public support of crop insurance, which he says is “an important part of any farm bill we would approach.”

Meantime, late last week, AgriTalk reported that three other major positions at USDA have also likely been decided (but as-yet not officially announced), including:

  • Steve Censky, South Dakota farmer and current CEO of the American Soybean Association, to be Deputy Undersecretary.
  • Bill Northey, Iowa’s agriculture commissioner, to be the Undersecretary for the new Farm Production and Conservation.
  • Ted McKinney, Indiana’s state agriculture director, to be the Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs.

 

 

Latest News

Biden Administration Restores Wildlife Protections
Biden Administration Restores Wildlife Protections

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service plans to reinstate rules protecting endangered plants and animals, action that would reverse changes made during the Trump Administration that weakened the Endangered Species Act.

Across Breed EPD Adjustment Factors
Across Breed EPD Adjustment Factors

EPDs from multiple breeds can be compared by adding/subtracting the appropriate adjustment factors to the EPDs resulting from the most recent genetic evaluations for each of 18 breeds.

APHIS Now Thinks Wild Birds Are to Blame for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza's Arrival on Four U.S. Dairies
APHIS Now Thinks Wild Birds Are to Blame for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza's Arrival on Four U.S. Dairies

The livestock industry continues to grapple with the first confirmed cases of HPAI in cattle, while federal and state agencies continue to assure consumers there's no concern about the safety of the U.S. milk supply.

Skills Survey Reveals U.S. Agriculture & Food Industry Workforce Needs and Gaps
Skills Survey Reveals U.S. Agriculture & Food Industry Workforce Needs and Gaps

U.S. employers report challenges in finding suitable job candidates with work-ready skills to fill open roles in ag. The AgCareers.com U.S. Skills Survey offers insights, data and trends to address skill development.

USDA Authorizes CRP Graze and Hay Donations to Wildfire Victims
USDA Authorizes CRP Graze and Hay Donations to Wildfire Victims

Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) participants can donate emergency grazing authority to ranchers in Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas impacted by recent wildfires.

New Guide Helps Producers Maximize Values of Cull Cows
New Guide Helps Producers Maximize Values of Cull Cows

A new resource developed by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and CattleFax helps cattle producers maximize profitability from their culling decisions.