USDA named key presidential appointees to lead the Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC) mission area, reinforcing its commitment to supporting American farmers under President Donald Trump’s “America First” agenda. These leaders will oversee programs vital to disaster relief, risk management, and conservation efforts. USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins emphasized FPAC’s frontline role, stating the new appointees will help deliver swift support to rural communities, cutting bureaucratic delays and boosting efficiency. New FPAC leadership appointments:
- Brooke Appleton – Deputy Under Secretary for FPAC: Former VP of Public Policy at the National Corn Growers Association; USDA veteran with deep Capitol Hill experience.
- Andrew Fisher – Chief of Staff, FPAC: Former legislative aide to Senators McConnell and Blunt, with a background in agriculture economics.
- Aubrey Bettencourt – Chief, NRCS: Expert in water policy and sustainability; past executive at Netafim and the Almond Alliance.
- Bill Beam – Administrator, FSA: Pennsylvania farmer and agribusiness leader with prior FSA leadership under the Trump Administration.
- Pat Swanson – Administrator, RMA: Iowa crop insurance professional and farmer with ASA and Federal Crop Insurance Board experience.
- Colton Buckley – Chief of Staff, NRCS: Rural economic development advocate and former CEO of a national conservation council.
