USDA Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Service Jim Miller has submitted his resignation to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack.

Vilsack called Miller a valued leader and trusted advisor and spoke of his role in many of the achievements that have been accomplished.

"Under his leadership, trade barriers have been broken and new records have been set for agricultural exports," Vilsack said. "Jim's leadership was instrumental in implementing the 2008 Farm Bill, while also improving how we deliver payments to farmers in the most timely and efficient way possible."

Vilsack also spoke about Miller's commitment to conservation, which led to the expanded Conservation Reserve Program enrollment that is currently underway, and also his work renegotiating the Federal government's contract with the crop insurance industry.

"Jim will continue doing important work on behalf of farmers and ranchers and I thank him for his tireless service to USDA and the farmers and ranchers that we serve," Vilsack said.