The USDA has announced that with the start of the 2022 calendar year, “the USDA AMS Specialty Crops Program (SCP) is excited to announce our transitionary leadership team moving forward.”
Staffing changes come with “the well-deserved retirement of SCP Deputy Administrator Sonia Jimenez,” and SCP Associate Deputy Administrator Ken Petersen will temporarily step into the role for a few months.
“In the spring, SCP Associate Deputy Administrator Heather Pichelman will move into the position while a permanent selection for the position is made,” the release said.
It added, “All SCP divisions continue offering their quality services throughout the transition, while expanding other existing capabilities. The SCI Division’s rollout of SCION continues to be a huge success for the industry, while the GAP audit programs meet emerging industry needs. Specialty Crop Market News services are the industry standard, and the Marketing Development Division merger of the former MOAD & PED divisions is complete.”
