WASHINGTON  — The American Soybean Association (ASA) thanked outgoing Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Krysta Harden earlier this week for her service to the nation’s farmers. Harden, who announced her resignation Thursday, served as Deputy Secretary since August 2013, before which she served as Chief of Staff to Secretary Tom Vilsack. Harden also has a special link to soybean farmers, working for more than a decade in the Washington offices of ASA prior to her public service.
Richard Wilkins, president of ASA and a farmer from Greenwood, Del., praised Harden’s attention to the needs of America’s farmers.
“Krysta Harden is the kind of public servant that comes along only too rarely,” he said. “She has blended a personal background, professional knowledge base, and exceptional passion for agriculture into a career that has served farmers at every level. As Deputy Secretary, she has been a visionary leader and a willing partner for soybean farmers across the country as we work to contend with the changing realities of our market, both here in the U.S. and overseas. We are of course sad to see her go, but happy to know that she will continue her service and her outstanding advocacy for farmers and rural Americans wherever she goes. We thank her and wish her nothing but the best of luck.”
ASA represents all U.S. soybean farmers on domestic and international issues of importance to the soybean industry. ASA’s advocacy efforts are made possible through voluntary farmer membership by farmers in 30 states where soybeans are grown.