News New Alabama State Directors Appointed To USDA Positions

New Alabama State Directors Appointed To USDA Positions

New Alabama State Directors Appointed To USDA Positions
November 27, 2017 |

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue named David McCurdy and Chris Beeker Alabama state directors for the Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Rural Development (RD), respectively. Both men serve as appointees of President Donald J. Trump. The announcement was Nov. 3.

McCurdy, of Pike Road, began his career with FSA in 1987 and served in various roles throughout the agency, including county executive director and district director. The Lowndes County native is involved in his family’s third-generation cattle, row crop and timber farm.

FSA state directors help implement U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) policies in planning, organizing and administering programs. They also run daily activities of the state FSA office in Montgomery.

The FSA administers farm commodity loan and purchase programs; farm ownership and operating loans; and the conservation reserve program. It also provides disaster assistance and administrative support to the Commodity Credit Corporation, which funds most USDA commodity and export programs. FSA programs include farm loans, conservation, disaster assistance, energy and financial management.

Beeker, of Tuscaloosa, grew up on a catfish and cattle farm in Greene County. His experience includes working on the family farm and other businesses.

RD offers loans, grants and loan guarantees to support essential services such as housing; economic development; health care; first responder services and equipment; and water, electric and communications infrastructure.

Alabama Farmers Federation President Jimmy Parnell said the state’s largest farm organization welcomes the appointments of McCurdy and Beeker.

“Alabama, and particularly rural Alabama, is poised for growth,” Parnell said. “FSA and RD both play important roles in the future of Alabama agriculture and improvements to our rural economies. We look forward to working with David and Chris as they implement programs through USDA that will achieve both those goals.”

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