U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins today announced the latest slate of presidential appointments for key Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Rural Development (RD) State Director roles.
“When America’s farming communities prosper, the entire nation thrives. This new group of USDA appointees will ensure President Trump’s America First agenda is a reality in rural areas across the country. I am grateful for the leadership of these new state directors and look forward to their work reorienting the agency to put Farmers First again,” said Secretary Rollins.
FSA State Directors help implement President Trump’s America First agenda and execute the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) policies in planning, organizing, and administering FSA programs through state offices across the country. RD State Directors help affirm the mission of the Trump Administration by focusing on finding ways to empower rural America and unleash economic prosperity.
Montana
Mike Foster Appointed as State Executive Director, Montana Farm Service Agency
Mike Foster serves as State Executive Director for the Farm Service Agency in Montana, a position he held during President Trump’s first term. As executive director, Foster helped Montana producers overcome difficult challenges such as drought, wildfires, excessive and ill-timed moisture, terrible blizzards, low prices, trade barriers, and a pandemic through FSA support.
Foster was born and raised in Townsend, Montana, and currently resides in Bozeman. From 1991 to 1994, he represented the 32nd District in the Montana House of Representatives. He then served as a state senator representing Montana’s 20th District from 1995 to 1998, where he was majority whip.
After serving as state executive director for Montana’s FSA, Foster accepted the role of Director of the Montana Department of Agriculture under Governor Greg Gianforte. Shortly thereafter, Foster shifted roles to lead the state’s program responsible for allocating federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act.
He and his wife, Mary, a retired elementary teacher, have been married for nearly 46 years and have three grown children and three grandchildren.
Several Montana ag groups hailed the announcement. “We look forward to working with Mike Foster,” Montana Farmers Union President Walter Schweitzer said. “His experience as the former FSA director should give him a jump start on managing the critically important agency that serves the family farmer in their communities.”
“We need a strong advocate leading the USDA Farm Service Agency in Montana during such times of Uncertainty, said Alison Vergeront, Montana Grain Growers Association Executive Vice President. “We are thrilled to hear our friend, Mike Foster, is back serving the farmers of Montana!”
North Dakota
Tom Campbell Appointed as State Director, North Dakota Rural Development
Tom Campbell serves as State Director for Rural Development in North Dakota. Tom started Campbell Farms with his two brothers. Tom has been an entrepreneur involved with farming, real estate, and banking. He has served on various boards and committees and received a degree from NDSU. Tom has 6 grandchildren and values his Christian faith.
Brad Thykeson Appointed as State Executive Director, North Dakota Farm Service Agency
Brad Thykeson serves as State Executive Director for the Farm Service Agency in North Dakota, a position he held during President Trump’s first term. Thykeson farms at Portland and is a past president of the North Dakota Grain Growers Association.
He and his wife, Karla, are third-generation farmers, who farm corn, soybeans, wheat, and edible beans with his two sons and families in Steele, Barnes, and Traill counties in North Dakota.
Wyoming
Thomas (Tyler) Harrison Appointed as State Director, Wyoming Rural Development
Thomas (Tyler) Harrison serves as the State Director for Rural Development in Wyoming. Most recently, Tyler served as Field Representative and Veteran’s Liaison for Congresswoman Harriet Hageman, WY-AL. He previously served over 25 years in the U.S. Coast Guard as an intelligence officer and project manager.
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USDA
