Garfield native leaves top USDA farm position

Garfield native Jim Miller announced last week he is leaving his post as the United States Department of Agriculture’s Undersecretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services to join the staff of Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N. Dak.

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack in a news release praised Miller for his work at USDA, calling him a trusted advisor.

Miller has served as undersecretary since being confirmed by the U.S. Senate for the job in September, 2008. In the post, Miller was responsible for administration and oversight of the farm service agency and marketing of U.S. crops to foreign markets.

On Sen. Conrad’s staff, Miller will take the lead for the senator’s 2012 Farm Bill negotiations.

From 1974 to 1995, Miller operated his family’s farm outside Garfield. He served as president of the National Association of Wheat Growers in 1987 and was the agency’s vice president for government relations from 1995-99.

Prior to becoming the undersecretary, Miller worked as the senior analyst for agriculture and trade on the U.S. Senate Budget Committee.