Thursday, President Joe Biden announced his intent to appoint 11 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regional positions, including three Farm Service Agency (FSA) state executive directors and eight Rural Development (RD) state directors.
"I am thrilled to welcome these talented and experienced public servants to USDA at a critical time in the Biden-Harris administration," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "I look forward to working alongside these individuals to build a better America."
FSA state executive directors oversee Farm Service Agency operations and agricultural policy implementation in the state. Each 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.
Dr. Terry Goodin has been appointed RD state director for Indiana.
A lifelong Hoosier, Goodin grew up raising beef cattle on the family farm, which he continues to operate today.
Most recently, Goodin served 24 years as the superintendent of Crothersville Community Schools. He served in the Indiana House of Representatives for 20 years, including one year as the House Minority Leader. Goodin served on the State Budget Committee and as the vice chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. He was a member of the Agriculture and Rural Development, Natural Resources, Roads and Transportation, International Trade, Banking and Finance, and Elections and Apportionment Committees.
Goodin is a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University where he received his Bachelor of Arts in 1989 and Master of Arts in History and Secondary Education in 1990. In 1995, he received his Doctorate from Indiana University Bloomington.
Categories: Kentucky, Education, Government & Policy