WASHINGTON, July 30, 2009 - The Obama Administration today continued naming individuals who will serve as State Executive Director for the Farm Service Agency at the USDA.

"These individuals have a solid understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing our rural communities and will help build on the Obama Administration's efforts to rebuild and revitalize rural America," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

Marsha Jetté - Since 1975, Jetté served as County Executive Director in New London County, Conn., where she administers and interprets policies established by the Agency, State Committee, and County Committee. She also served on the 2007 National County Executive Director Classification Review Committee, and served as State Communications Coordinator for Connecticut and Rhode Island. In this position, she has received 11 performance-based awards. Jetté also worked in various roles for FSA from 1971-1975. She has coursework in Accounting from Johnson & Wales College in Rhode Island as well as the University of Southern California.

Charles H. Stripling - Since 2002, Stripling has served as District Director for Congressman Jim Marshall. Previously, from 1992-2002, he served as District Director for Congressman Sanford Bishop. He has served both as Mayor and as Municipal Court Judge in Vienna, Georgia, and has served as Chairman of the Board of Bank of Dooly in Vienna. Stripling attended Georgia Southwestern University, as well as the University of Georgia Leadership Institute.

Clinton Koble - Koble most recently served as the Executive Director of the Nevada Rural Development Council in Carson City, Nev., where he specialized in community strategic planning and leadership. He also served in Carson City as the Western Region Representative for the Rural Nevada Development Corporation in Ely, Nev., providing small business assistance and housing programs for Nevada's rural communities. While serving for the Rural Nevada Development Corporation, Clint also performed small business counseling services for the Nevada Small Business Development Center. Working with and for the rural communities took Clint back to his rural roots. Mr. Koble grew up on a farm in North Dakota that remains in his family today. Clint received his B.A. degree in Political Science and History from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, N.D.

Aaron Krauter - Krauter currently serves in the North Dakota State Senate, where he has been elected to five four-year terms. He currently sits on the Senate Appropriations Committee, and from 2000-2003 served as Senate Minority Leader. Since 1987, Krauter has owned and operated a 3000-acre family farming operation, and been active in the North Dakota Farmers Union. From 1985-1987, he served as Corporate Operations Manager for Best Products, Inc. in Richmond, Va., directing operations analysts in 220 retail stores across the United States. Krauter was born in Dickinson, N.D., and received his B.S degree from the University of Mary in Bismarck, N.D. His farming operation is located at Regent, N.D.

Arthur L. Douglas - Douglas currently operates a family farm and ranch in Utah. Since 1997, he has served as President of the Utah Farmers Union and as former Secretary of the National Farmers Union. In 2008, he served as a Rural Agriculture Steering Committee Member, advising the Obama campaign on issues relating to rural America. From 2001-2006, Douglas served as Chairman of the Governor's Agricultural Advisory Board in Utah. He also served 14 years on the Howell Town Community Council, and 15 years as the Northern Utah Soil Conservation District Director.

USDA's Farm Services Agency works to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for rural Americans. Some of the agency's efforts include facilitating income support, disaster assistance and conservation programs, providing operating loans for the procurement of farm equipment, seed and fertilizer, as well asoffering ownership loans to helpnew and veteran producerspurchasea farm. FSAalso works to procure various commodities to benefit low-income families through domestic food assistance programs.

The USDA provides leadership on food, agriculture and natural resources and touches the life of every American. Reflecting President Obama's commitment to expanding economic opportunities in rural America, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and the USDA are working to enhance availability of broadband, promote the development of renewable energy, to conserve, maintain and improve our natural resources and environment, and promote a sustainable, safe, sufficient and nutritious food supply.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272(voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).