The Biden administration recently appointed Kelly Adkins as the new state executive director for the USDA Texas Farm Service Agency (FSA). Adkins joined the Texas FSA team on May 9.
“Individuals selected to serve as FSA state executive directors are incredible public servants who have a proven track record when it comes to their commitment to advance their states and communities,” U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack said. “Each will serve on the frontlines, carrying out USDA’s mission at the state level and ensuring the voice of each and every USDA customer is heard. We are fortunate to have each of these talented individuals at this critical time for farmers and producers and rural communities across America.”
Adkins was raised on small family farm in Haskell County where he attended Haskell High School and later Texas Tech University where he earned his bachelor of business degree with a minor in agriculture.
Adkins enjoyed a career serving the farmers and ranchers of Texas and the FSA in many capacities. including county executive director in Grimes and Randall counties and district director for the agency overseeing FSA county offices and program delivery for a multi county area of the Panhandle. He is currently a resident of Canyon where he is involved in a small farming and cattle operation. Adkins has been involved in community activities and several state agricultural commodity associations.
As state executive director, Adkins will be responsible for overseeing the delivery of FSA programs to farmers and ranchers in Texas. These commodity, conservation, credit and disaster assistance programs ensure a safe, affordable, abundant and nutritious food, fiber and fuel supply for consumers.
FSA serves farmers, ranchers, foresters and agricultural partners through the effective, efficient and equitable delivery of federal agricultural programs. The agency offers produces a strong safety net through the administration of farm commodity and disaster programs. Through conservation programs, FSA continues to preserve and protect natural resources and provides credit to agricultural producers who are unable to receive private, commercial credit, including targeted loan funds for beginning, underserved, women and military veterans involved in production agriculture.