Upon the recommendation of Senator Patrick Leahy, President Biden recently appointed John Roberts as executive director of the Farm Service Agency in Vermont.
Roberts formerly served as executive director of the Champlain Valley Farmer Coalition, a farmer-led organization working on environmental practices on farms and supporting Vermont’s farm economy. Prior to that, he worked with the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Farms and Markets, focusing on assisting small farms with their water quality stewardship.
“I’ve known John for many years,” Leahy said. “He has the qualifications and experience to lead the Farm Service Agency at a critical time for our state when there is much to be done. Our farmers and rural communities need the vital services that FSA provides, and John is the right person to lead that effort.”
The FSA assists farmers with loans and insurance programs such as the Dairy Margin Coverage program, along with securing an organic certification, accessing conservation and environment programs and managing their business.