Iowans named as USDA state directors

Two Iowans were named to state-level positions with the U.S. Department of Agriculture last week.

Amanda De Jong, a senior policy adviser with the Iowa Corn Growers Association, was named as Iowa's Farm Service Agency state director. She previously worked for U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and the USDA. De Jong is a native of Holy Cross in Eastern Iowa, but works in Des Moines.

Annette Sweeney, a farmer and former state representative from Buckeye, was appointed as Iowa's Rural Development state director. While a representative, Sweeney served as chair of the House Agriculture Committee.

President Donald Trump appointed the state directors for the Farm Service Agency and Rural Development on Friday. Farm Service Agency directors organize and administer the agencies programs in their states while Rural Development directors work on programs to bolster the economies of rural areas, such as loans and grants.

l Comments: (319) 398-8366; matthew.patane@thegazette.com