Trump Administration Appoints Chris McDonald to Serve as State Executive Director for USDA’s Farm Service Agency in Mississippi

WASHINGTON, June 10, 2025— The Trump Administration recently appointed Chris McDonald as the new State Executive Director (SED) for the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Mississippi. McDonald joined the Mississippi FSA team on June 2, 2025.

“When America’s farming communities prosper, the entire nation thrives. This new group of USDA appointees will ensure President Trump’s America First agenda is a reality in rural areas across the country. I am grateful for the leadership of these new state directors and look forward to their work reorienting the agency to put Farmers First again,” said Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins.

“FSA State Executive Directors serve in a critical role carrying out USDA’s mission at the state level — ensuring that our focus is on meeting the needs of local agricultural producers by putting farmers and ranchers first,” said FSA Administrator Bill Beam. “Rural communities need our support now more than ever. Our newly appointed state leaders bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to their position as SED, and they will play an integral role in shaping the future of agriculture in their state.”

Most recently, McDonald served as the Director of Federal and Environmental Affairs at the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce where he was the primary lead for federal and environmental issues, drafted legislative policy, and created the agency’s first nuisance wildlife program, focused on feral swine management. Before that he worked for the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks for nearly 13 years assisting landowners with conservation management. 

As SED, McDonald is responsible for overseeing the delivery of FSA programs to agricultural producers in Mississippi. These commodity, conservation, credit, and disaster assistance programs ensure a safe, affordable, abundant and nutritious food, fiber, and fuel supply for all Americans. See USDA news release for full list of recent FSA and Rural Development appointees.

FSA helps America’s farmers, ranchers and forest landowners invest in, improve, protect and expand their agricultural operations through the delivery of agricultural programs for all Americans. FSA implements agricultural policy, administers credit and loan programs, and manages conservation, commodity, disaster recovery and marketing programs through a national network of state and county offices and locally elected county committees. For more information, visit fsa.usda.gov. 

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