Mike Espy
2024 ALI Fellow

Mike Espy brings to ALI legal and public sector experience. Mike is the former Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture, and a former U.S. Representative from the 2nd District of Mississippi. He has immense knowledge advising agribusiness companies, food charities, and government entities on a wide range of agricultural and business concerns. As the 25th Secretary of Agriculture, Mike is credited with negotiating multilateral treaties for the trade of American agricultural commodities, and instituting reforms in the national food inspection system to eradicate food borne illnesses. He also brought new emphasis to the important nutrition and anti-hunger programs at the USDA, and distinguished himself as an expert in rural business, economic development, and infrastructure policy.