Former student Erin Morris joins USDA leadership
Department of Animal Science graduate named Agricultural Marketing Service administrator
Erin Morris ’95, a cum laude graduate of the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Animal Science, has been appointed as the next administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s, USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.
In announcing the appointment, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins said, “My fellow Fightin’ Texas Aggie Erin Morris brings a strong track record of leadership, technical knowledge and dedication to the agricultural community.”
Steeped in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
While at Texas A&M, Morris emphasized equine studies, and she said she could be found at the horse center most days during her spare time. She was a “proud member” of the Texas A&M Equestrian Team and traveled across Texas competing.
She also worked as an undergraduate assistant supporting equine nutrition research.
Prior to joining USDA, Morris worked in the foodservice distribution industry and was employed by one of the largest foodservice distributors in the country.
Joining the Agricultural Marketing Service in 1998, Morris most recently served as associate administrator, where she was responsible for the administration and oversight of the broad range of agricultural regulatory, marketing and inspection programs.
She is married to Craig Morris ’95, Ph.D., who was a Regents Graduate Fellow in the Department of Animal Science and currently serves on the Texas A&M College of Agriculture Development Council. Their two sons, Sean ’24, a biomedical sciences graduate, and Ethan, a sophomore in the Department of Animal Science, are also part of the Aggie family.
What is the Agricultural Marketing Service?
The USDA-Agricultural Marketing Service delivers a wide range of services including quality grading, auditing and laboratory testing that help producers demonstrate the value and integrity of their goods.
The agency also operates the USDA Market News Service, providing objective pricing and market data to inform business decisions throughout the supply chain.
The agency also enforces fair trade practices by overseeing the livestock, produce and organic sectors, and administers the Packers and Stockyards Act and National Organic Program.
