Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services Dr. J.B. Penn sent word to Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns today indicating that is resigning from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Penn's resignation will be effective at the end of August, at which point he plans to return to the private sector, Johanns said today.

"J.B. Penn's experience and leadership, from his diligent actions to assure timely implementation of the 2002 farm bill's provisions that assist domestic producers to his steadfast efforts to reduce trade barriers and increase our agricultural exports, have worked to improve the economic outlook for America's farmers and ranchers," Johanns said today.

"His vision for international trade and development on behalf of our producers and agribusinesses is recognized around the world, and I have valued his counsel and determination through the many months of tough negotiations on the Doha Development Agenda," he added.

In addition to taking part in World Trade Organization negotiations in the Doha round, Penn has overseen the work of the USDA Farm Service Agency, Foreign Agricultural Service and Risk Management Agency.

Penn, who has a Ph.D. from Purdue University, was appointed to his current post by then Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman in May 2001. Previously, he served as senior vice president of Sparks Companies, Inc., now Informa Economics, Inc.

Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services Dr. J.B. Penn sent word to Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns today indicating that is resigning from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.