Carolyn Cooksie serves as Deputy Administrator for Farm Loan Programs of the Farm Service Agency (FSA). The farm loan program area offers direct and guaranteed farm ownership and operating loans to farmers who are temporarily unable to obtain private, commercial credit. Ms. Cooksie's area also helps established farmers who have suffered financial setbacks from natural disasters, or whose resources are too limited to maintain profitable farming operations. In addition, Farm Loan Programs provides supervised credit, outreach, and technical assistance.

Prior to assuming this position in 1996, Ms. Cooksie was a 21-year veteran of USDA. She began her career in a Kentucky county office of the former Farmers Home Administration. She later moved to a district office, and then to the state office where she worked with the Multi-Family Housing Program. In 1984, Ms. Cooksie accepted a position as a rural housing loan specialist in Washington, D.C.

Ms. Cooksie has also held the positions of Chief, Program Training Branch, Human Resources Development and Training Staff; Deputy Assistant Administrator, Housing; and Director, Multi-Housing Portfolio Management Division.

Ms. Cooksie holds a Bachelor's degree in communications and public affairs from Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, Kentucky.