03/28/2024
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WASHINGTON, Oct. 22, 2021— The Biden Administration recently appointed Bob Etheridge as the
new State Executive Director (SED) for the USDA North Carolina Farm Service Agency (FSA).
Etheridge joined the North Carolina FSA team on Oct. 11, 2021.

“Individuals selected to serve as FSA State Executive Directors are incredible public servants who have
a proven track record when it comes to their commitment to advance their states and communities,” said
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “Each will serve on the frontlines, carrying out USDA’s mission at
the state level and ensuring the voice of each and every USDA customer is heard. We are fortunate to
have each of these talented individuals at this critical time for farmers and producers and rural
communities across America.”

Etheridge is a dedicated public servant with a long history of service to his country, beginning with two
years in the U.S. Army. First elected in 1996, he served 14 years in Congress representing North
Carolina’s 2nd District. For twelve years, Etheridge served on the House Agriculture Committee and for
two years as Chairman of the General Farm Commodity and Risk Management Subcommittee. Prior, he
was elected to the North Carolina House of Representatives and as State Superintendent of Public
Instruction. Etheridge returns to USDA after being appointed by President Obama to be FSA State
Executive Director for North Carolina in 2013, where he served until January 2017.

As SED, Etheridge will be responsible for overseeing the delivery of FSA programs to agricultural
producers in North Carolina. These commodity, conservation, credit, and disaster assistance programs
ensure a safe, affordable, abundant, and nutritious food, fiber, and fuel supply for consumers.

“The State Executive Director is a pivotal leadership position for the Agency and for the agricultural
producers we serve,” said Marcus Graham, FSA Deputy Administrator for Field Operations. “These
leaders, appointed by the Biden-Harris Administration, bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to
their respective states. We are happy to have them on board and wish them much success.”

The Farm Service Agency serves farmers, ranchers, foresters, and agricultural partners through the
effective, efficient, and equitable delivery of federal agricultural programs. The Agency offers producers
a strong safety net through the administration of farm commodity and disaster programs. Additionally,
through conservation programs, FSA continues to preserve and protect natural resources and provides
credit to agricultural producers who are unable to receive private, commercial credit, including targeted
loan funds for beginning, underserved, women and military veterans involved in production agriculture.

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris
Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient
local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to healthy and
nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and
producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure
and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by
removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more,
visit www.usda.gov.

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