The Trump Administration recently appointed Dr. Carrie Castille as the new State Director for USDA Rural Development in Louisiana. Dr. Castille started her new role on Monday, October 30, 2017.
A Louisiana native, Castille has worked on agriculture and rural issues for almost 20 years. Castille has spent her career working in the agriculture industry and served as the Associate Commissioner for the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry. Prior to her work at the department, she held a faculty position with the Louisiana State University AgCenter and created the Louisiana Master Farmer Program. Further, she served as a fellow of the Food Systems Leadership Institute, and chaired the USDA National Agriculture Research Extension Education and Economics Board. Castille also served on the National Council on Environmental Policy and Technology and a National Academies of Sciences panel studying homeland security threats.
In addition to her public service, she was instrumental in positioning Louisiana as a leader in alternative energy and green product development and implementing innovative sustainable practices within Louisiana’s agricultural industry. Outside of public service, she served an agriculture and natural resources consultant providing agriculture and environmental regulatory guidance to state and national commodity and trade organizations.
Castille is a graduate of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree and was the first woman inducted to the College of Engineering’s Hall of Distinction. In addition, she holds a Master’s Degree in environmental studies and Doctoral Degree in renewable natural resources from Louisiana State University
As State Director, Castille will use her leadership experience to oversee Rural Development programs in a customer-focused manner to restore prosperity in rural Louisiana.
Under the direction of Secretary Sonny Perdue, the USDA will always be facts-based and data-driven, with a decision-making mindset that is customer-focused. Secretary Perdue leads the USDA with four guiding principles: to maximize the ability of American agriculture to create jobs, sell foods and fiber, and feed and clothe the world; to prioritize customer service for the taxpayers; to ensure that our food supply is safe and secure; and to maintain good stewardship of the natural resources that provide us with our miraculous bounty. And understanding that we live in a global economy where trade is of top importance, Secretary Perdue has pledged to be an unapologetic advocate for American agriculture.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; homeownership; community services such as schools, public safety and healthcare; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.