The USDA announced a number of major changes in the top leadership of the department. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Krysta Harden is leaving the department at the end of February.

Harden received high marks for her role in implementing the 2014 farm bill. Mike Scuse, currently the undersecretary of Agriculture for Farm and Foreign Agriculture, is being named as the acting undersecretary of Agriculture. Alexis Taylor currently the deputy undersecretary for Farm and Foreign Agriculture will assume the duties of undersecretary of Farm and Foreign Agriculture.

John Clifford is stepping down after 12 years as USDA’s chief veterinarian. He will begin new duties as chief trade adviser for veterinary services with the Animal Plant Health Inspection Service’s National Import Export Services starting in March.