Biden Administration Appoints Ginger Sykes Torres to Serve as State Executive Director for USDA’s Farm Service Agency in Arizona

WASHINGTON, Dec. 6, 2022— The Biden Administration recently appointed Ginger Sykes Torres as the new State Executive Director (SED) for the USDA Arizona Farm Service Agency (FSA).

“Individuals selected to serve as FSA State Executive Directors are incredible public servants who have a proven track record when it comes to their commitment to advance their states and communities,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “Each will serve on the frontlines, carrying out USDA’s mission at the state level and ensuring the voice of each and every USDA customer is heard. We are fortunate to have each of these talented individuals at this critical time for farmers and producers and rural communities across America.”

Sykes Torres, a graduate of Stanford University’s interdisciplinary Earth System’s Program, joins USDA following a career as an environmental planner and civic leader who has worked to create a more equitable, resilient, and sustainable planet for future generations. She has extensive experience on land use planning, environmental impact assessment, and environmental policy for Federal agencies, utilities, and renewable energy developers in the western U.S. She served as the Vice Chair of the City of Phoenix Environmental Quality and Sustainability Commission, which advises the Mayor of Phoenix and the Phoenix City Council on environmental, sustainability, and climate resilience issues.

Sykes Torres also served as Chair of the City of Phoenix’s Urban Heat Island Tree and Shade Subcommittee, Sykes Torres has played a pivotal role in developing innovative community-driven strategies to expand the city’s shade capacity and prepare vulnerable communities for the impacts of rising heat. She was born in Tuba City, Arizona, is a citizen of the Navajo Nation, and a passionate advocate for issues affecting Tribal communities.

As SED, Sykes Torres will be responsible for overseeing the delivery of FSA programs to agricultural producers in Arizona.  These commodity, conservation, credit, and disaster assistance programs ensure a safe, affordable, abundant, and nutritious food, fiber, and fuel supply for consumers.

“The State Executive Director is a pivotal leadership position for the Agency and for the agricultural producers we serve,” said Marcus Graham, FSA Deputy Administrator for Field Operations.  “These leaders, appointed by the Biden-Harris Administration, bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to their respective states. We are happy to have them on board and wish them much success.”

Farm Service Agency serves farmers, ranchers, foresters, and agricultural partners through the effective, efficient, and equitable delivery of federal agricultural programs. The Agency offers producers a strong safety net through the administration of farm commodity and disaster programs. Additionally, through conservation programs, FSA continues to preserve and protect natural resources and provides credit to agricultural producers who are unable to receive private, commercial credit, including targeted loan funds for beginning, underserved, women and military veterans involved in production agriculture.

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit usda.gov.   

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