U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins has announced a new series of presidential appointments for significant roles within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). These appointments cover various agencies, including the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), Farm Service Agency (FSA), and Rural Development (RD).
"President Trump is putting Farmers First, and so is the incredible team we are building at the Department of Agriculture," said Secretary Rollins. "Our latest additions to the USDA family are personally invested in ensuring farmers and rural America prosper. I look forward to seeing the work they will do supporting farmers, ranchers, and producers across the country by implementing President Trump’s America First policies."
The FNS aims to improve access to healthy foods produced by American farmers. FSA State Directors are tasked with executing President Trump's America First agenda through state offices nationwide. RD State Directors focus on empowering rural America and promoting economic prosperity.
Patrick A. Penn has been appointed as Deputy Undersecretary for FNCS. His background includes serving as a State Representative in Kansas from 2021 to 2025, where he worked on reforms in foster care, social welfare programs, and regulatory landscapes.
Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh will serve as State Director for Rural Development in Alabama. She was previously President of the Alabama Public Service Commission.
Arthur Keyes takes on the role of State Executive Director for Alaska's Farm Service Agency, bringing over two decades of agricultural experience.
Kevin Andrus will serve as State Executive Director for Idaho's Farm Service Agency, while Rick D. Youngblood becomes State Director for Rural Development in Idaho.
In Indiana, Steve Howell has been appointed as State Director for Rural Development, with Steve Brown taking on the role of State Executive Director for Indiana's Farm Service Agency.
John Butera will serve as Maine's State Director for Rural Development, with Tommy R. Higgins becoming the State Executive Director for Maine's Farm Service Agency.
Richard Mayfield returns as New York's State Director for Rural Development.
Donald “Don” Jones has been appointed Ohio's State Executive Director for its Farm Service Agency; Charles Tassell becomes Ohio's State Director for Rural Development.
Richard Ebert will serve Pennsylvania as its State Executive Director for its Farm Service Agency.
Nelson Albino takes on Puerto Rico’s position as its RD director; Robert D. Sullivan becomes Rhode Island’s executive director at FSA level there too!
Lorraine Polak joins South Dakota under an appointment heading up their local rural development efforts alongside Roger Chase who’ll be leading them agriculturally via his new post within that same state agency contextually speaking...
Andrew C Iverson rounds out these selections having now been named Wisconsin’s next-in-line when it comes down specifically towards managing affairs related back around issues involving developmental concerns rurally situated therein!
