The following is a release from the Montana Farm Service Agency:
Bozeman, May 2, 2011 – USDA Montana Farm Service Agency State Executive Director Bruce Nelson has been appointed as Acting Administrator of Farm Service Agency, the Obama administration announced today.
“It has been an honor and privilege to work for the hardworking farmers, ranchers and FSA employees across Montana,” Nelson said. “While Montana has always been our home and always will be, I’m thankful for the opportunity to work for agricultural producers here at home and across this great country,” Nelson said.
Nelson replaces Acting Administrator Val Dolcini, who will return to his role as FSA State Executive Director in California. Dolcini had served as acting administrator since Feb. 15 replacing Jonathan Coppess who left the position to serve as Chief Counsel to the Senate Agriculture Committee to begin work on the 2012 Farm Bill. Current Montana FSA Chief Administrative Officer Richard Deschamps is serving as acting state executive director in the Bozeman state office.
“Secretary Vilsack and I are confident that Bruce’s strong foundation of farming, executive and leadership experience will make him a great leader for the Agency,” Acting Under Secretary Michael Scuse said in a statement announcing the change.
Nelson has served as the State Executive Director of Montana since 2009, and previously served as SED from 1993-2000, when he was awarded the Administrator’s Distinguished Service Award. He has also previously served as the Chief of Staff to Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer and holds an executive role at Triangle N Farms, Inc. For several years Nelson served as a Construction Project Manager with the Zoot Construction Company. He received the USDA Secretary Honor Award in 1995 and also received the National award from the Intertribal Agriculture Council in 2000. He spent many summers working on a family farm and holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Montana. He and his wife, Nancy, have three grown children.
Source: MT FSA
Posted by Haylie Shipp
