John Patterson, State Office Director

John Patterson was appointed by the Biden Administration to serve as the State Executive Director of the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Ohio in April 2022.

Patterson is a former state legislator and retired teacher with over 40 years of experience. Most recently, Patterson served in the Ohio House until term limits prohibited his continued service. During his tenure in the state legislature, he served on the Agricultural and Natural Resources Committee, including two terms as ranking member. Prior to his time in the Ohio House, Patterson was a history teacher at Jefferson Area High School before retiring in 2012.

On the Agricultural and Natural Resources Committee, Patterson focused on true bipartisanship. Through these efforts came the creation of the H2Ohio Program, a comprehensive water quality initiative that addresses water issues such as harmful algal blooms on Lake Erie.

Patterson was a joint sponsor of Ohio House Bill 189, “Tyler’s Law” that provides additional funding and more stringent oversight of Ohio’s amusement rides by the Ohio Department of Agriculture to better ensure ride safety.

Patterson is a life-long member of the Henderson Memorial Library Foundation Board and currently serves as the President. He also serves as President of the Jefferson Memorial Foundation Board. He enjoys singing and is a member of the Chancel Choir at the Jefferson United Methodist Church.

Patterson earned his doctorate in education from Kent State University.

He has been married to his wife Nancy for 38 years and has two sons, Joshua and Jeremiah. They live in Jefferson, a rural village in northeast Ohio. Patterson and Nancy enjoy bike riding on various rail trails and kayaking.