Release No. 0234.09

WASHINGTON, June 29, 2009 - The Obama Administration today announced that Dan Steinkruger will serve as Nebraska State Executive Director for the Farm Service Agency at the USDA.

"Dan Steinkruger has a solid understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing our rural communities and will help build on the Obama Administration's efforts to rebuild and revitalize rural America," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

Dan brings 32 years of program management and supervisory experience in federal farm programs to his new leadership role as the State Executive Director for the Nebraska Farm Service Agency. He began with the USDA's Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS), the predecessor to the Farm Service Agency (FSA) as a Field Reporter in 1977. He worked as a Program Assistant until becoming Harlan County Executive Director in Cass County, Nebraska in 1979. Dan became a Program Specialist in Conservation Programs in 1993, and the Chief of the Production Compliance Programs Section in 1996. Dan served as Acting State FSA Director in 1997, and again under the Obama Administration. Dan has worked on his family farm in the Franklin area, and was elected to the Weeping Water City Council, the Lower Platte South Natural Resources District Board and as an officer for the Nebraska Association of Resource Districts.

The Farm Services Agency works to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for rural Americans. Some of the agency's efforts include providing direct operating loans for farm equipment, seed and fertilizer, as well as rural housing loans to help rural people buy, build or rent housing. FSA also procures various commodities to benefit low-income families through domestic food assistance programs. At the same time, the agency creates jobs by funding the growth and creation of rural businesses and cooperatives.

The USDA provides leadership on food, agriculture and natural resources and touches the life of every American. Reflecting President Obama's commitment to expanding economic opportunities in rural America, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and the USDA are working to enhance availability of broadband, promote the development of renewable energy, to conserve, maintain and improve our natural resources and environment, and promote a sustainable, safe, sufficient and nutritious food supply.