USDA Announces Montana Farm Service Agency Director

by Colter Brown

President Joe Biden has announced his intent to appoint Maureen Wicks as U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director for Montana.

FSA State Executive Directors oversee Farm Service Agency operations and agricultural policy implementation in the state. Each State Executive Director works with the State Committee to administer FSA programs and County office operations, develops and maintains stakeholder relationships with customers and other agencies and governments.

Maureen “Morb” Wicks has spent over 30 years working for and representing Montana farmers. From 1985-1995, Maureen was involved in WIFE (Women Involved in Farm Economics) and served as its Hi-Line Chapter president. In 1998, Wicks became the first woman elected to the Liberty County Farm Services Administration, where she served for 16 years. In 2014, Maureen was elected to serve as a Liberty County Commissioner and was recently re-elected in 2021.

In addition to her work, Wicks is also a dryland wheat farmer and member of the Montana Grain Growers and Montana Farmer’s Union. Maureen holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Government from Montana State University. Maureen is also a former teacher, teaching both Government and Social Studies for over 15 years in school districts across Montana.

Montana Senator Jon Tester released the following statement on Wicks’ appointment:

“As a Montana farmer with 30 years of experience working with producers across the state, Morb Wicks is more than qualified to head up the Montana Farm Service Agency. Wicks has a long track record of doing right by the Treasure State’s rural communities. She has been a longtime champion of family farming, and has consistently looked out for Montana’s small farms as Liberty County Commissioner. I have no doubt she’ll lead Montana FSA in the right direction, as we work together to support the producers who fuel our rural economies.” 

Montana Farmers Union President Walter Schweitzer applauded the appointment of Wicks as well.

“Morb Wicks is a great pick to lead the Farm Service Agency,” Schweitzer said. “Her sixteen years of experience as a Liberty County FSA committee member has prepared her well for this job. Her experience as a Liberty County Commissioner will benefit Montana as well as she addresses issues that are important to rural Montana. Montana is lucky to have Morb to take the helm at FSA, and we look forward to working with her on issues that are critically important to family farms and ranches.”

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USDA/MFU/Senator Jon Tester

Photo: University of Montana

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