The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced Rachel McLocklin Santos as the new State Executive Director for the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Georgia, serving as an appointee of President Donald J. Trump. FSA State Executive Directors help implement USDA policies in planning, organizing and administering FSA programs in their respective states. They are also responsible for running the day-to-day activities of the state FSA office.

“Serving as State Executive Director for the Farm Service Agency in Georgia, Rachel will work to ensure that USDA is offering targeted customer service to meet the needs of our producers across the state,” said FSA Administrator Richard Fordyce. “FSA plays a critical role in supporting farmers and farming communities, and State Executive Directors are able to connect with the people in their states. Our goal is to help rural America prosper. Rachel will be of great assistance in that task.”

Prior to her appointment, Santos served as the chief of staff and the director of policy, government, and corporate affairs at the University of Georgia’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Additionally, she worked as an aide to U.S. Senators Saxby Chambliss and David Perdue, with a focus on agriculture, natural resources, and other related policy issues. Santos has also held positions with the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, and the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.