A Conversation with Xochitl Torres Small, Under Secretary for Rural Development, USDA

Update 3/2: This event is now closed to RSVPs. You are welcome to arrive at the event time to gain entry as a walk-in as seats become available. 

The Rural Development agency of the US Department of Agriculture is the federal government’s leading agency on all rural policy in the United States.

Join the Under Secretary for an open dialogue with students, faculty and staff about anything related to rural America! She will take questions on policies and practices related to topics such as climate smart solutions, food supply chain resiliency and equity in the food system. She can also address questions about future careers and professional development in the ag policy space.

This event is hosted by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. 

Location: This event will be held in PepsiCo Auditorium, Room 146 Stocking Hall, Ithaca, NY 14850, and is open to all Cornell faculty, staff and students.

Speaker bio: Before coming to Rural Development, Xochitl was a United States Representative for the fifth largest district in the country. In the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, Xochitl kept a rural hospital from closing its doors, improved constituent access to healthcare over the phone, and helped secure tens of millions of dollars for broadband in New Mexico through USDA’s ReConnect Program. Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, Xochitl raised the alarm on broadband disparities, serving on Majority Whip James Clyburn’s Rural Broadband Taskforce and as an original cosponsor of the Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act. As a member of the House Agriculture Committee, Xochitl helped champion the needs of dairy farmers and sponsored legislation to help local producers and rural communities invest in infrastructure to navigate new markets. Xochitl forged additional bipartisan solutions on the House Armed Services Committee and as chairwoman of the Oversight, Management, and Accountability subcommittee of the House Homeland Security Committee. Xochitl was the first woman and first person of color to represent New Mexico’s second congressional district. Read more

Event Info:

Thursday, March 3, 2022

10:15 - 11:15 a.m. EST
 

We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully. To be respectful of those with allergies and environmental sensitivities, we ask that you please refrain from wearing strong fragrances. To request an accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact CALS Office of Marketing and Communications at cals-comm [at] cornell.edu