Chavonda Jacobs-Young Announced as Opening Keynote | Science Societies Skip to main content

Chavonda Jacobs-Young Announced as Opening Keynote

May 1, 2023
Chavonda Jacobs-Young
Chavonda Jacobs-Young

Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young, Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics (REE) and Chief Scientist, USDA-ARS, will open the October 2023 International Annual Meeting with “USDA’s Crucial Role in Sound Science and Dialogue.” 

Jacobs-Young will share her passion on the critical role USDA’s science mission plays in agriculture innovation. The REE mission area has federal leadership responsibility for advancing scientific knowledge related to agriculture and is dedicated to creating a safe, sustainable, affordable, and competitive U.S. food and fiber system as well as supporting strong communities, families, and youth through integrated research, analysis, and education.

The REE mission area is comprised of more than 8,500 employees with a $4 billion budget across its five component organizations including the Agricultural Research Service, Economic Research Service, National Agricultural Statistics Service, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, and Office of the Chief Scientist. Together these organizations advance agricultural research, innovation, data, and Extension across a full range of agricultural issues including climate-smart agriculture, nutrition security, equity, and strengthening food supply chains. As Chief Scientist, Jacobs-Young advises the Secretary of Agriculture and other senior officials on scientific matters.

Prior to being appointed by President Biden to serve as the REE Under Secretary, Jacobs-Young was the USDA-ARS Administrator for eight years. She also served in several other key leadership positions at the USDA over the past 20 years.

She holds M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Wood and Paper Science and a B.S. degree in Pulp and Paper Science and Technology from North Carolina State University.

Learn more and register today for the Annual Meeting at acsmeetings.org.


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