Two Mississippians have received presidential appointments for key agriculture roles, according to an announcement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
As part of a nationwide slate of appointments for Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Rural Development (RD) state director positions, Chris McDonald and Dane Maxwell received nods from the Trump administration.
“When America’s farming communities prosper, the entire nation thrives. This new group of appointees will ensure President Trump’s America First agenda and is a reality in rural areas across the country,” U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins said. “I am grateful for the leadership of these new state directors and look forward to their work reorienting the agency to put Farmers First again.”
McDonald was appointed to serve as state executive director for the FSA, which is tasked with planning, organizing, and administering FSA programs throughout Mississippi. He most recently served as the director of federal and environmental affairs at the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce.
Maxwell was appointed to serve as state director for RD, which is focused on finding ways to empower Mississippi’s rural areas and aid in economic growth. Maxwell formerly served as mayor of Pascagoula and public service commissioner in the state’s southern district. A U.S. Marine Corps veteran and former law enforcement officer, he owns two national businesses.
