Farm Progress

New state directors chosen for Farm Service Agency, Rural Development

David Schemm and Lynne Hinrichsen were nominated to lead the state agencies.

Walt Davis 1, Editor

November 8, 2017

2 Min Read
NEW FSA HEAD: David Schemm has resigned his post as president of the National Association of Wheat Growers to accept an appointment as executive director of the Kansas Farm Service Agency.

Sharon Springs farmer David Schemm surprised many Kansans when he announced he was resigning his position as President of the National Association of Wheat Growers.

Soon, however, they learned he was giving up that leadership position in order to assume a new role as executive director of the Kansas Farm Service Agency, an appointment that has drawn praise from Sen. Pat Roberts. Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, as well as Kansas farm groups and their leaders.

“I am pleased David Schemm has been selected to run the Kansas FSA. David is a farmer and understands FSA is the critical link between producers and the federal government’s resources for farmers and ranchers,” Roberts said in a prepared statement. “As President of the National Association of Wheat Growers, he served as a leader and an experienced advocate for agriculture. I am confident that as Director, David will ensure Kansas FSA is a strong and dynamic partner in every producer’s success.”

Schemm takes over the head job at Kansas FSA from Adrian Polansky who filled the slot during the Obama administration.

NAWG past-president Gordon Stoner will step back into the leadership role at the organization until new officers are elected at the Commodity Classic in March.

Roberts also applauded the appointment of Lynne Hinrichsen of Westmoreland to serve as USDA Kansas Rural Development State Director.

“I am pleased Lynne Hinrichsen has been nominated to serve Kansas as Rural Development Director,” Roberts said. “Throughout her career, Lynne has proven to be an effective communicator and is passionate about Kansas, agriculture, and rural America. Lynne understands our state’s economic development structure, and I’m confident Lynne will lead Kansas’ rural development efforts well.”

Since 2013, Hinrichsen has served as the Agribusiness Development Director at the Kanas Department of Agriculture where she recruits agriculture-based businesses to Kansas.

For over a decade, prior to joining Kanas Department of Agriculture, she owned and managed a professional staffing agency, providing a unique understanding of labor and business management issues. Hinrichsen raises Angus Cattle Breeders in Westmoreland, Kan., with her husband Ron.

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