Dr. Scott Hutchins serves as Under Secretary for the Research, Education, and Economics (REE) Mission Area of USDA. In addition, he is the Chief Scientist for USDA and serves on the USDA Leadership Cabinet. The REE Mission Area includes the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Economic Research Service (ERS), National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), and the Office of the Chief Scientist (OCS).
Prior to this appointment, Dr. Hutchins served as the Deputy Under Secretary (2019-2021) for REE and led the creation of the USDA Science Blueprint and the U.S. Ag Innovation Strategy. Before joining USDA, Dr. Hutchins was the Global R&D Leader for Dow Agrosciences (now CortevaTM Agriscience). In his 31+ year career with the private sector, he was involved with the corporate innovation and business development functions in many roles, including leader of the seeds and crop protection portfolio/innovation management forums.
Dr. Hutchins received a B.S. in entomology from Auburn University, M.S. in entomology from Mississippi State University, and Ph.D. in entomology from Iowa State University. He is a Past President of the Entomological Society of America (ESA) and was elected as a Fellow and Honorary Member of the ESA. He is an Adjunct Professor with the Department of Entomology at the University of Nebraska.