Whitney Place, State Executive Director

Whitney Place was appointed by the Biden Administration to serve as the State Executive Director of the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Minnesota in January 2022.

Prior to her appointment, Place served as the Assistant Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) where she led state efforts related to water quality, pesticides, industrial hemp, dairy assistance, and rural mental health. She had worked for MDA since 2012 in the roles of Director of Legislative Affairs, Assistant to the Commissioner, and Project Coordinator for the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program.

Place is a graduate of the Minnesota Agriculture and Rural Leadership (MARL) program, which is a two-year educational experience designed to develop the skills of Minnesota’s agricultural and rural leaders. She was a member of the Minnesota Farmers Union and completed a policy internship with the National Farmers Union in 2011. She was also a member of the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association.

She earned a Bachelor of Science in applied plant science and a Master of Science in science, technology, and environmental policy from the University of Minnesota. She is actively involved in the College of Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resource Sciences. She served as co-chair of the Policy Engagement Program from 2014-2021 and served in various roles on the Alumni Board of Directors from 2015 to 2019.

Place grew up in Okabena, Minnesota, where she learned about agriculture in her high school FFA program and on the family farm. She currently resides in Minneapolis.