(Washington, D.C., August 21, 2025) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins today announced the latest slate of presidential appointments for key Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Rural Development (RD) State Director roles.
“When rural America succeeds, our entire country is stronger. These newly appointed USDA state directors will play a critical role in advancing President Trump’s America First agenda in the states and ensuring that our farmers and ranchers are prioritized. Farm security is national security, and this Administration is prioritizing protecting small family farms for the next generation of American farmers. I appreciate these newly appointed directors’ commitment to our mission and look forward to seeing them lead with the kind of vision that puts American farmers and rural communities first,” 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.
Maryland
Paul D. Ellington Appointed as State Director, Maryland and Delaware Rural Development
Paul D. Ellington serves as State Director for Rural Development in Maryland and Delaware. A Maryland native, Paul was the founder of State and Local Advisors, a firm dedicated to advocating on behalf of rural governments and nonprofits.
George Turner Appointed as State Executive Director, Maryland Farm Service Agency
George Turner serves as the Maryland State Executive Director for the USDA Farm Service Agency. George most recently served as the FSA District Director for Maryland’s District 2. Prior to his role as District Director, he served as the County Executive Director for the FSA Worcester County Office. George brings over 41 years of experience to Maryland’s agriculture with the Farm Service Agency.
Minnesota
Mick Ditlevson Appointed as State Director, Minnesota Rural Development
Mick Ditlevson serves as State Director for Rural Development in Minnesota. Most recently, he served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations to Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins. Ditlevson holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Pepperdine University and is a fifth-generation Steele County farmer.
New Hampshire
Jeffrey Holmes Appointed as State Executive Director, New Hampshire Farm Service Agency
Jeffrey Holmes will serve as State Executive Director for the Farm Service Agency in New Hampshire. Jeff formerly served as the State Executive Director for NH FSA during the first Trump Administration. A fifth-generation farmer from Langdon, NH, he also supported the agricultural community through over 20 years on the NH Farm Bureau Board of Directors including eight years as State President.
New Jersey
Robert Andrzejczak Appointed as State Executive Director for the New Jersey Farm Service Agency
Robert Andrzejczak serves as State Executive Director for the Farm Service Agency in New Jersey. From Cape May, New Jersey, Andrzejczak is a U.S. Army veteran who earned the Bronze Star with Valor and Purple Heart after being severely wounded in Iraq in 2009. He served in the New Jersey General Assembly from 2013 to 2019, where he chaired the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, and later served in the State Senate.
New Mexico
Zach Riley Appointed as State Executive Director, New Mexico Farm Service Agency
Zach Riley serves as State Executive Director for the Farm Service Agency. Raised in eastern New Mexico, he hails from a ranching family that has been raising cattle there for more than four generations. With many years of experience in agriculture policy and advocacy, Riley has worked for the Farm Bureau and Livestock Associations and contributed to the formulation of multiple farm bills.
Oklahoma
Eddie Fields Appointed as State Executive Director, Oklahoma Farm Service Agency
Eddie Fields serves as State Executive Director for the Farm Service Agency in Oklahoma. From Wynona, Oklahoma, Eddie is a third-generation cattleman and ag producer. Most recently Eddie served as Chairman of the Oklahoma Ethics Commission. He previously served on the Oklahoma Mining Commission and is a former State Senator and State Representative from 2008 to 2018.
Zac Swartz Appointed as State Director, Oklahoma Rural Development
Zac Swartz serves as State Director for Rural Development in Oklahoma. Raised in Sulphur, Oklahoma, he brings experience from the private and nonprofit sectors, including roles in community affairs for NextEra Energy, policy work with Oklahoma Farm Bureau, and economic development with Oklahoma Department of Commerce.
Oregon
Tootie Smith Appointed as State Director, Oregon Farm Service Agency
Tootie Smith serves as State Director for the Farm Services Agency in Oregon. As a fourth-generation Oregon farmer, Tootie was raised on the family farm that she and her husband now own as a hazelnut orchard. She hails from the business side as owner of a hospitality center, real estate developer, and logging business. Her elected service includes 12 years in both the Oregon House of Representatives and Chair of Clackamas County Board of Commissioners.
Texas
Dan Hunter Appointed as State Executive Director, Texas Farm Service Agency
Dan Hunter serves as State Executive Director for the Farm Service Agency in Texas. Most recently he served as the Assistant Commissioner for the Texas Department of Agriculture. Previously Dan was the Executive Director of a worldwide research institute within the Texas A&M University System. He has worked in leadership positions with both the cotton and peanut industries and has served on numerous commodity boards.
James Redfield Appointed as State Director, Texas Rural Development
James Redfield serves as State Director for Rural Development in Texas. He most recently managed government and external relations for the Texas Department of Agriculture. Previously, James served as a policy advisor at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development under Secretary Ben Carson and as a legislative staffer in the U.S. House of Representatives for two former Texas members.
Utah
Susan Larson Appointed as State Executive Director, Utah Farm Service Agency
Susan Larson serves as State Executive Director for the Farm Service Agency in Utah. She and her husband, Jake, operate their family’s Centennial Farm and Ranch, which stretches across Northern Utah and Southern Idaho. For six generations, their family has been rooted in the land—raising forage crops, managing a cow-calf operation, and carrying forward a proud ranching legacy.
Virginia
Beth Walker Green Appointed as State Director, Virginia Rural Development
Beth Walker Green serves as the State Director for Rural Development in Virginia. She previously held this role from 2017 to 2021 and also served as Acting Rural Housing Administrator during that time. Most recently, she was Chief Deputy Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry for Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, bringing extensive leadership experience in agricultural policy, housing and rural development initiatives.
West Virginia
Keith Richmond Appointed as State Executive Director, West Virginia Farm Service Agency
Keith Richmond serves as State Executive Director for Farm Service Agency in West Virginia. Most recently Richmond has served as County Executive Director with FSA for over 34 years. He started his career in FSA as a County Operations Trainee in 1991 and worked in several county offices after completing his training. Richmond has received numerous awards from the National Association of State and County Office Employees and FSA for community service and lifetime achievements. He and his wife Marsha are active in the operation and management of the family’s diversified farming operation in southern West Virginia.
Wyoming
Laurie Boner Appointed as State Executive Director, Wyoming Farm Service Agency
Laurie Boner serves as State Executive Director for the Farm Service Agency in Wyoming. Laurie is a rancher and small business owner residing near Glenrock, Wyoming. She is actively involved and serves on numerous agriculture-related boards. Previously she had a successful career with the Wyoming Department of Agriculture for over 15 years, where she oversaw the state’s food safety and environmental health program.
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