President Joe Biden announced his intent to appoint four U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regional positions, including four Farm Service Agency (FSA) state executive directors and five Rural Development (RD) state directors.
"As USDA continues to work toward improving the lives of all Americans, we welcome these talented individuals who will each play a key role in advancing that shared mission," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "Each of them will add to the experienced, dedicated and growing team at the Department."
FSA State Executive Directors oversee Farm Service Agency operations and agricultural policy implementation in the state. Each State Executive Director works with the State Committee to administer FSA programs and County office operations, develops and maintains stakeholder relationships with customers and other agencies and governments.
RD State Directors serve as the chief executive officer of Rural Development in the states and territories and are tasked with carrying out the mission of Rural Development to the benefit of everyone in rural America. In conjunction with the guidance and support of the National Office, State Directors are responsible for promoting the mission and strategic goals of Rural Development and provide key leadership to develop and support a productive, diverse, and inclusive state workforce.
Scott Halpin was named FSA state executive director for Illinois.
Scott is the proud owner and operator of Haplin Farms and Haplin Farms Cattle in conjunction with his parents and brother. The family farm specializes in a row-crop, corn and soybean rotation and produces hay and silage. Scott has adapted conservation management practices on his farm to allow milkweed to grow in non-crop areas to support the monarch butterfly population and improve conservation efforts for on farm pollinator habitats. In addition to his farm work, Scott has served as chairman for the Member Services and Public Relations committee within the Illinois Farm Bureau.
Recently, Scott traveled internationally to learn first-hand about international trade issues as a member of the Illinois Agricultural Leadership Program Class of 2020. Halpin is a graduate of Joliet Junior College where he received a degree in Agriculture Production. He lives in South Wilmington with his wife, Sarah, and their three children.
Betsy Dirksen Londrigan was named Rural Development state director for Illinois.
Betsy Dirksen Londrigan joins USDA's Rural Development team after spending over 20 years in the nonprofit sector. Her previous work included working with community, regional and state leaders to effect positive change for those in her community. Betsy is also a former director at the University of Illinois-Springfield and a proud member of a farming family that still operates in Central Illinois.
Dirksen Londrigan is committed to working with rural communities to bring investments to every corner of the state to support local and regional initiatives, power economic development and grow local economies. Betsy is a graduate of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Categories: Illinois, Government & Policy