Jim Moseley was sworn in as USDA's deputy secretary. He succeeded Richard Rominger, who held that position from May 1993 until January 2001, and is now retired on his family farm near Winters, Calif. In addition, Moseley was subsequently named by Secretary Ann Veneman to be USDA's chief operating officer, responsible for day-to-day management of the Department.

     Before rejoining USDA and being sworn in as deputy secretary in July 2001, Moseley--an Indiana farmer with 32 years of hands-on farm experience--was the owner of AgRidge Farms, specializing in grains, and managing partner of Infinity Pork, raising hogs. Both are located in Clarks Hill, Ind. In addition, during 1997 he served as chairman of the industry negotiating team for the National Pork Dialogue, a nationwide effort to improve the environmental performance of pork operations across the country. Following passage of the 1995 Farm Bill he was a consultant to the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, where he worked with agricultural producers and the Natural Resources Conservation Service to develop model resource management plans for farmers and ranchers.

     Moseley served as the director of agricultural services and regulations for the state of Indiana, based at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind., from 1993-95, where he had administrative and legislative responsibility for all agricultural functions assigned statutorily to the university. During that time he also worked as a staff political analyst and member of the editorial board of the "Farm Journal" publications. He served as USDA's [then] assistant secretary for natural resources and environment from 1990-92. The Aug.-Sept. 1990 issue of the USDA News carried his complete biographical sketch, following his selection to that position. From 1989-90 he was an agricultural advisor, based in Washington, DC, to the administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

      A native of Peru, Ind., where he grew up on a family farm which raised cattle, hogs, small grains, hay, corn, and soybeans, Moseley holds a B.S. degree in horticulture from Purdue University.