Trump Administration Appoints Arthur Keyes to Serve as State Executive Director for USDA’s Farm Service Agency in Alaska

WASHINGTON, June 13, 2025— The Trump Administration recently appointed Arthur Keyes as the new State Executive Director (SED) for the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Alaska. Keyes joined the Alaska 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.”

Keyes began farming in 2003. At Glacier Valley Farms, he grows a wide variety of specialty crops including strawberries, tomatoes, zucchini and his own brand of onions, Yensis. Keyes co-founded the largest statewide Alaska Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) weekly produce delivery business. He has been a strong advocate for Alaska Agriculture for decades, forging partnerships with other producers and even oil companies such as BP and Hillcorp to bring Alaskan agriculture to local farmers markets. He served as the Director of the Alaska Division of Agriculture from 2016 to 2019. While director, he developed the “$5 Alaska Grown Challenge” which helps to drive revenue throughout the state and supports Alaska’s farmers. This initiative has been replicated across the country and won the 2018 North American Agricultural Marketing Excellence award. He has served on multiple boards at the local, state and national level including the Palmer Soil and Water Conservation District Board, Matanuska Electric Association Vice President, Mat-Su Farm Bureau President, Alaska Farmland Trust Board, Alaska Farm Bureau Board and National Onion Board. 

As SED, Keyes is responsible for overseeing the delivery of FSA programs to agricultural producers in Alaska. 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.