USDA Appoints Members to Advisory Committee on Beginning Farmers and Ranchers

Oct 02, 2019

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced the appointment of 20 members to serve on the Advisory Committee on Beginning Farmers and Ranchers (ACBFR). The newly appointed members serve terms of up to two years through 2021.

Newly appointed members are:

Davon L. Goodwin, Raeford, N.C.
Katie R. Carpenter, Attica, N.Y.
Casey Spradley, Cuba, N.M.
Jacob W. Handsaker, Radcliffe, Iowa
Adam M. Brown, Decatur, Ill.
Amanda Jo Carey Goodfellow, Morley, Mich.
Paul Bickford, Ridgeway, Wisc.
Jason Brand, Honolulu, Hawaii
Jeffry R. Gittins, Smithfield, Utah
Denis Ebodaghe (USDA NIFA)
Latrice Hill (USDA FSA)
R. Alan Hoskins, Evansville, Ind.
Tony Gudajtes, Minto, N.D.
Juli Obudzinski, Washington, D.C.
John Bailey, Ukiah, Calif.
E’licia L. Chaverest, Madison, Ala.
Shelby Swain Myers, Crawfordsville, Ind.
Liya Schwartzman, Sacramento, Calif.
Anusuya Rangarajan, Freeville, N.Y.
James Carl Hafer, Colstrip, Mont. is re-appointed to serve a one-year term.
“USDA welcomes the voices of this new advisory team,” said Perdue. “The Committee’s recommendations have been, and will continue to be, thoughtful and representative of feedback from among farmers, ranchers, and stakeholders served by the Department.”

The Committee is made up of 20 members, including representatives for: state beginning farming programs; commercial lenders; private nonprofit organizations with active beginning farmer or rancher programs, the National Institute of Food and Agriculture; the Farm Service Agency; community colleges or other educational institutions with demonstrated experience in training beginning farmers and ranchers, and other entities or persons providing lending or technical assistance for qualified beginning farmers and ranchers. Congress authorized the Committee in 1992 and since its inception, the ACBFR has been an important part of the USDA strategy to engage, support and service new and beginning farmers. The Committee is funded by the Farm Service Agency. USDA’s Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE) provides oversight which ensures fiscal accountability and program integrity.

About the USDA Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement

USDA’s Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement develops and maintains partnerships focused on solutions to challenges facing rural and underserved communities in the United States, and connects those communities to the education, tools, and resources available to them through U.S. Department of Agriculture programs and initiatives.

Source : USDA

Video: Agriculture Secretary Rollins Speaks at American Farm Bureau Federation Convention in Anaheim

One of the highlights at the 2026 American Farm Bureau Federation Convention in Anaheim, California, was an address by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins. During her remarks, she thanked America’s farmers and ranchers and said the Trump Administration is fully aware that food security is national security.

She also acknowledged the challenging times in Farm Country with low commodity prices and high input costs and said that’s why the President stepped in to help with the recent Bridge Assistance Program.

Montana Farm Bureau Federation Executive Vice President Scott Kulbeck says that Farm Bureau members are appreciative of the help and looks forward to working with the American Farm Bureau Federation and its presence in Washington, DC to keep farmers and ranchers in business.

Secretary Rollins said the Trump Administration is also committed to helping ranchers build back America’s cattle herd while also providing more high-quality U.S. beef at the meat case for consumers.

And she also announced more assistance for specialty crop producers who only received a fraction of the $12 billion Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA).

It’s important to note that producers who qualify for Farmer Bridge Assistance can expect the Farm Service Agency to start issuing payments in late February. For more information, farmers and ranchers are encouraged to contact their local USDA Service Center.