Biden Administration Appoints Amy Pettit to Serve as State Executive Director for USDA’s Farm Service Agency in Alaska

WASHINGTON, March 16, 2022— The Biden Administration recently appointed Amy Pettit as the new State Executive Director (SED) for the USDA Alaska Farm Service Agency (FSA). Pettit joined the Alaska FSA team on March 14, 2022.   

“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.”   

Pettit was raised on a cow-calf operation on the Southern Oregon Coast where generations of her family have raised premier beef cattle for over 100 years. Pettit graduated from Oregon State University with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Business Management in 2003.   

She arrived in Alaska in 2005 and began her career with the State Division of Agriculture. During her tenure, she led the Marketing & Development team, was a founding board member of the Alaska Food Policy Council and sat on the North American Agricultural Marketing Officials Executive Board. Pettit became the Executive Director of the Alaska Farmland Trust in 2015 where her role included permanently protecting valuable agricultural lands, promoting the industry across multiple platforms, and educating fellow Alaskans on the importance of their food system.   

When Pettit is not working to inspire others about Alaska’s agriculture industry, she enjoys chasing her teenaged daughters from the soccer pitch to the basketball court and seeks to balance it all through teaching and practicing yoga.   

As SED, Pettit will be 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 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.