The Trump administration recently appointed Amanda DeJong as the new state executive director for the USDA Farm Service Agency in Iowa. The administration also appointed Annette Sweeney as the new state director for USDA’s Rural Development agency in Iowa.

In their new roles, each will lead their agency’s delivery of federal agricultural programs as enacted by Congress. DeJong will manage the state FSA office, as well as local county offices throughout Iowa.

Sweeney, as director of USDA Rural Development, will oversee the agency’s programs, which are aimed to restore prosperity in rural Iowa. Her agency provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas.

DeJong comes to USDA from Iowa Corn Growers
De Jong joined the Iowa FSA team Nov 13. She most recently held the position of senior policy adviser at the Iowa Corn Growers Association, a position she assumed in 2011. She also served in roles with U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley and USDA. DeJong was raised on a corn and soybean farm in Dubuque County that’s been in her family for 158 years. She earned degrees from Iowa State University College of Agriculture and the University of Iowa Law School.

STATE FSA: As state executive director of USDA FSA in Iowa, Amanda DeJong will oversee delivery of federal farm programs.

FSA serves farmers, ranchers and agricultural partners through delivery of effective, efficient agricultural programs, she says. The agency offers farmers a strong financial safety net through the administration of farm commodity and disaster programs. FSA programs also help farmers and landowners conserve natural resources. The agency provides credit to agricultural producers who are unable to receive private, commercial credit, including special emphasis on FSA loans for beginning, underserved, and women farmers and ranchers.

As state executive director, DeJong says she will use her leadership experience to oversee FSA programs in a customer-focused manner to ensure a safe, affordable, abundant and nutritious food supply for consumers.

Sweeney to serve as head of Rural Development
Sweeney began her new role Nov. 13 as head of USDA’s Rural Development agency in Iowa. Her experiences as a teacher, parent, family farmer, business owner and church volunteer led her to run for a seat in the Iowa Legislature. She was elected to the Iowa House of Representatives where she served from 2009 to 2013. She sponsored numerous legislation that passed with bipartisan support. Her work improved opportunities for rural businesses and enhanced the quality of life for rural Iowans.

Since serving as a state lawmaker, Sweeney has participated in trade missions to Brazil, China and South Korea promoting the quality of Iowa agricultural products. She also served on the State Agriculture and Rural Leaders board of directors working with legislators across the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. 

RURAL DEVELOPMENT: Newly appointed to head USDA’s Rural Development agency in Iowa, Annette Sweeney farms with her family in north-central Iowa.

Sweeney was appointed to the Governor’s Council on Ag Education and has volunteered with such organizations as Southfork Watershed Alliance, Iowa Corn Growers Association and America Agri-Women, the nation’s largest coalition of farm, ranch and agribusiness women.

As state director of USDA Rural Development, Sweeney says she will use her leadership experience to oversee the agency’s programs in a customer-focused manner to restore prosperity in rural Iowa. USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; homeownership; community services, such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas.

How to contact USDA Rural Development
Information on programs available through USDA Rural Development is available by visiting rd.usda.gov/ia or by calling 515-284-4663. The agency has 11 offices across the state to serve the 1.7 million Iowans living in rural communities. Offices include a state office in Des Moines, and area offices in Albia, Atlantic, Humboldt, Indianola, Iowa Falls, Le Mars, Mount Pleasant, Storm Lake, Tipton and Waverly.