(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins 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.
Kansas
Gimmie Jo Jansonius Appointed as State Director, Kansas Rural Development
Gimmie Jo Jansonius serves as State Director for Rural Development in Kansas. A sixth-generation rancher actively involved in production agriculture, Mrs. Jansonius’s family’s business consists of a cow calf herd, small row crop farm, and direct beef sales enterprise where the seventh generation has also put down roots and returned home to rural America working in agriculture and healthcare.
David Schemm Appointed as State Executive Director, Kansas Farm Service Agency
David Schemm serves as State Executive Director for the Farm Service Agency in Kansas. David formerly served in this position during the first Trump Administration and has also served as Agricultural Advisor for US Senator Dr. Roger Marshall. David works with his wife, Lisa, and son, Clay on their Western Kansas farm.
Minnesota
Kurt Blomgren Appointed as State Executive Director, Minnesota Farm Service Agency
Kurt Blomgren serves as State Executive Director for the Farm Service Agency in Minnesota. He is a fourth-generation family farmer from Butterfield, Minnesota, currently operating a diversified crop and livestock farm with his son Vance and family. In his local community, he is a volunteer firefighter, Sunday school teacher, and mentor to local urban youth with livestock projects at his farm.
Missouri
Ben Baker Appointed as State Director, Missouri Rural Development
Ben Baker serves as State Director for Rural Development in Missouri. He is a former Missouri State Representative with a focus on government efficiency and public service. He lives in Neosho, Missouri, with his wife, Naomi, and their two daughters, living a life grounded in faith, family, and a relentless drive to serve his community.
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. He was born and raised in Townsend, Montana, and currently lives in Bozeman where the FSA state office is located. He and his wife, Mary, a retired elementary teacher, have been married for nearly 46 years and have three grown children and three grandchildren.
Nebraska
Hilary Maricle Appointed as State Executive Director, Nebraska Farm Service Agency
Hilary Maricle serves as State Executive Director for the Farm Service Agency in Nebraska. Most recently, Hilary served as Deputy Director for the Nebraska Department of Agriculture. She and her family own and operate Maricle Family Farms.
Neil Moseman Appointed as State Director, Nebraska Rural Development
Neil serves as State Director for Rural Development in Nebraska. Most recently, Neil served as Agriculture and Energy Policy Director for U.S. Senator Deb Fischer. Neil is a fifth-generation Nebraskan and a U.S. Navy veteran.
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. 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.
