The Senate on Tuesday confirmed Farm Credit Administration board of directors nominees Dallas Tonsager, a former USDA undersecretary for rural development, and Jeffery Hall, a former USDA Farm Service Agency official in Kentucky.
Tonsager also is a former South Dakota Farmers Union President. He served on the FCA board of directors from 2004 to 2009.
"Dallas exemplifies all the traits of a great leader in professional public service," National Farmers Union president Roger Johnson commented Tuesday. "His leadership in economic and cooperative development, both at the state and national level, is well recognized.
"I have no doubt Dallas will serve the Farm Credit Administration with the same enthusiasm and competency as he did during his previous six years in the same position."
Former USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development Dallas Tonsager is seen during the Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit in Altoona, Iowa, on Jan. 30, 2013. USDA photo.
During his previous tenure as a board member of the Farm Credit Administration, Tonsager supported passage of a new authority which allowed Farm Credit System institutions to invest in rural communities across America, opening a way for the system to provide funding to Critical Access Hospitals in rural America, NFU said.
Hall was recommended to the FCA board by Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.
In addition to previous involvement with the Kentucky Farm Bureau, Hall served on McConnell's staff as a legislative assistant, then served as assistant to the dean at the College of Agriculture at the University of Kentucky from 1994 to 2001.
From 2001 to 2009, Hall was State Executive Director of the USDA's Farm Service Agency in Kentucky, where he was responsible for the administration of the agency's commodity, conservation and lending programs.
"Jeff Hall has devoted his thirty-year career to serving the farming community and the people of Kentucky," McConnell commented. "Given Jeff's wealth of experience and his tremendous work ethic and can-do attitude, I have no doubt he will be a great member of the Farm Credit Board."
The Farm Credit Administration board of directors is responsible for approving the policies, regulations, charters, and enforcement activities that ensure a strong Farm Credit System.
The Board also provides for the examination and supervision of the FCS, including Farmer Mac, and oversees the FCS Building Association’s activities.
The three members of the full-time board each serve six-year terms.
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