You may have seen the news online – Donald Trump plans to appoint Sam Clovis as the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics (REE).  Since 2008, this position has been synonymous with the title of “Chief Scientist” of the USDA.  Sam Clovis is not a scientist, and no, it makes no sense to appoint a non-scientist as chief scientist of a major government research organization.  But before we panic, let’s take a look at what the RRE actually does, who has led this group in the past, and how Mr. Clovis’s skills might fit in with the agency’s mission.

What does the USDA RRE do?

The USDA REE funds (either directly or indirectly) much of the agricultural research that goes on this this country, including technologies to improve crop yield, increase sustainability, assure food safety, limit water contamination from agriculture, and prevent or adapt to climate change.  This mission is served primarily by 4 agencies:

• – The National Institutes of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) –  NIFA funds grants to academic labs across the country to further the goals listed above.  In particular, a significant portion of their budget funds research on the effects of climate change, including the development crops that can adapt to a changing climate, water management, crop pest management, and development of future agricultural leaders.  Ever heard of 4-H? It’s a popular program for kids from rural or semi-rural areas that teaches them about agriculture, but also teaches broadly applicable life skills like responsibility and stewardship.  Much of the funding for 4-H comes from the NIFA.
• – The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) – This the USDA’s internal research organization, consisting of over 8000 employees and over 80 locations across the country.  They focus on nutrition, food safety, crop and animal health, pest and disease prevention, and sustainable agriculture practices.  Remember bird flu and swine flu?  Since these diseases come from livestock, the USDA is on the front line of research and prevention for these viruses – both of which posed lethal threats to human health.
• – The Economic Research Service (ERS) – This group studies the economics of global agriculture (including domestic production, international markets and trade) and advises on policy.  Basically, they help our farmers sell their food.
• – The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) – As it’s name implies, this is the group that tracks the statistics on agriculture in this country.  Want to know how much of any crop was produced last year and how much money the distributors paid for it?  NASS can tell you – seriously, check it out, it’s all searchable on their site.  Maybe you can use your newfound knowledge to win a bar bet or two?

What qualifications have the past under secretaries had? 

• – Dr. Ann M. Bartuska (current Acting Under Secretary) has a Ph.D. in ecology.  Dr. Bartuska also represents USDA on the Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Sustainability of the White House National Science and Technology Council, is a past President of the Ecological Society of America, and is a co-chair of the Science and Technology for Sustainability Roundtable of the National Academies.  Before becoming acting Under Secretary, she was Deputy Chief for USDA Research & Development, Acting USDA Deputy Undersecretary for Natural Resources and Environment, and was the Executive Director of the Invasive Species Initiative of the Nature Conservancy.  It’s safe to say she’s highly qualified.
• – Dr. Catherine Woteki (2010-2017) has a Ph.D. in nutrition. Prior to joining the USDA, she was Deputy Associate Director for Science in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, worked for the Department of Health and Human Services, the Human Nutrition Information Service, was the Dean of Agriculture and a Professor of Nutrition at Iowa State University, and was the Director of the Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine at the National Academy of Sciences.  Yup – also very qualified.
• – Dr. Molly Jahn (acting Under Secretary 2009-2010) has a Ph.D. in plant breeding. She is currently a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, holding appointments in the Department of Agronomy, the Laboratory of Genetics, and the Center for Sustainability and the Global Environment. In the past, she served as dean of the University of Wisconsin’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences and Director of the Wisconsin Agricultural Experiment Station.  Her research programs at University of Wisconsin and Cornell University have produced vegetable varieties grown commercially and for subsistence on six continents.  In 2012, she was recognized with the highest award conferred by the U.S.D.A., the Secretary’s Honor Award. Super-qualified.
• – Dr. Rajiv Shah (2009), was an M.D. with a M.S. in health economics. You get the point – these were all highly qualified individuals.
• – Dr. Gale Buchanan (2006- 2009) held a Ph.D. in plant pysiology.
• – Dr. Joseph Jen (2001-2006) held a Ph.D. in biochemistry

What qualifications does Sam Clovis have?

Sam Clovis was a graduate of the Air Force Academy and spent 25 years in the Air Force, eventually reaching the rank of Colonel.  He then went back to school and received his Ph.D. …. in public administration.  By all accounts, Clovis has never taken a graduate-level science course.  He taught economics at Morningside College, a small liberal arts school in Iowa.  From there, Clovis got into politics – hosting a conservative radio show called “Impact With Sam Clovis” out of Sioux City, IA, and running unsuccessfully for Iowa state senate and state treasurer.

Clovis joined Texas governor Rick Perry’s campaign, then eventually jumped to Donald Trump’s campaign.  Since Trump took office, he has been the President’s “eyes and ears” at the USDA – a position he is qualified for, since he doses appear to have both eyes and ears.  His qualifications seem to end there – there is no evidence that he has the scientific knowledge or experience to understand modern agricultural biotechnology, disease and pest epidemiology, ecology, or risk assessment.

Clovis has made statements denying the validity of climate change.  This is deeply concerning, since a large part of the current USDA’s mission is to conduct and fund research to develop more sustainable agriculture and energy technologies, and to adapt our agricultural system and national forest system to the effects on climate change. Basically, the USDA is responsible for making sure we have enough food as the climate changes, and Clovis doesn’t think that’s important. Now it’s time to panic. In short, Clovis would be the least qualified person to ever hold this position by far, and his inability to understand advanced scientific concepts could be a major blow to our country’s agricultural research programs.

The qualifications for the position of USDA “chief scientist” was specifically set forth in a 2008 bill. The position “shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, from among distinguished scientists with specialized training or significant experience in agricultural research, education, and economics.” Sam Clovis does not meet these basic qualification in any way. While he has taught economics at Morningside College, there is no evidence that he understands agricultural economics specifically. His Ph.D. thesis was on homeland security preparation. This appointment would be a slap in the face to science-driven public policy in the country. Regrettably, it would not be the first such insult perpetrated by this administration. He still has to be confirmed by the Senate, and hopefully cooler heads will prevail. Want to help? You can find the contact info for your senator here.