By Julie Tomascik
Editor

New leaders were recently appointed for several agencies within the Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC) mission area of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

“FPAC is the most farmer-facing mission area at USDA, housing the Farm Service Agency (FSA), the Risk Management Agency (RMA) and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)—agencies producers rely on every day,” U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins said. “Strong leadership in FPAC means real results, less red tape, and a USDA that works for those who feed, fuel and clothe America. I’m proud to welcome these new leaders who will champion our farmers and rural communities.”

The FPAC mission area delivers USDA programs, including disaster assistance, risk management and conservation efforts that protect and enhance working lands.

“Texas Farm Bureau is excited U.S. Secretary Brooke Rollins continues to build a top-notch team at USDA. As farmers and ranchers await needed assistance to help them survive the current downturn in the agricultural economy, it is reassuring to know USDA is putting a team in place that has agriculture’s best interests at heart,” said Laramie Adams, TFB associate director of Government Affairs. “We look forward to our continued work with USDA to swiftly advance commonsense policies that help secure the future of farm and ranch families.”

Brooke Appleton was named deputy undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation. She was previously vice president of Public Policy for the National Corn Growers Association and was raised on her family’s row crop and cattle farm in Missouri.

Andrew Fischer will serve as chief of staff for Farm Production and Conservation. Prior to this role, he was a legislative assistant for U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell and grew up on a hog operation.

Aubrey Bettencourt will be the chief of NRCS. Bettencourt most recently was the global director of Government Relations and External Affairs for Netafim, a manufacturer of precision irrigation equipment. She was also the former president and CEO of the Almond Alliance of California.

Bill Beam, a Pennsylvania farmer, will serve as the FSA administrator. He previously served as deputy administrator of FSA during the first Trump administration.

Pat Swanson will be the RMA administrator. Swanson operates a crop insurance agency in Iowa, has been a director for the American Soybean Association and completed a term on the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation Board.

Colton Buckley was named chief of staff for NRCS. Buckley was CEO of the National Association of Resource Conservation and Development Councils. Before that, he served on the Texas A&M University System Board of Regens and on the Texas Commissioner of Agriculture’s Advisory Council.