Letlow Urges the Biden Administration to Finally Prioritize a Critical Louisiana Appointment

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Julia Letlow (LA-05) sent a letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack this week, urging the swift appointment of a State Executive Director (SED) for the Louisiana Farm Service Agency (FSA). The position, which oversees numerous USDA programs in the state, has been left vacant since the Biden Administration took office in January 2021.
 
“This position plays an integral role in employee training and the deployment of critical farm support programs,” Letlow wrote. “Whether it be efforts for disaster recovery, supply chain disruption, or open enrollment of standing FSA programs, the SED is essential in the overall operations of the state and local offices who serve at the forefront of the USDA’s customer-based service.”
 
Letlow noted that farmers across Louisiana have expressed their frustration with the bureaucratic delays and backlogs that have arisen because of the lengthened vacancy. “In a state where agriculture is the economic driver of our rural communities, it is imperative that FSA stands ready to provide vital assistance to our farmers and ensure program delivery in a timely manner. I believe that these concerns can be addressed with the Louisiana FSA SED in place,” she wrote.
 
The Congresswoman also voiced her support for the consideration of Craig McCain, who previously served in the role under both the Trump and Obama Administrations and brings over 25 years of experience to the table.
 
To read Letlow’s full letter to Secretary Vilsack, click HERE.