Focus is on Delivering Program Opportunities to Rural Businesses and Underserved Communities
DES MOINES, Iowa, July 25, 2022 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director in Iowa Theresa Greenfield announced today that the agency has promoted John Ferrell to Business Programs Director. Ferrell, a native of Keokuk County, will focus on delivering program funding to rural businesses and underserved communities.
“USDA is proud to promote John because of his great track record of assisting businesses, communities, and non-profit organizations in navigating the loan and grant process,” said Theresa Greenfield, USDA Rural Development State Director in Iowa. “We want to hire and promote the best and the brightest so USDA can help the business ecosystem and economy of rural America grow and thrive.”
Ferrell has provided constituent and customer services for over 16 years. Before joining USDA in Iowa seven years ago, he worked in marketing and regulatory programs at the USDA National Office in Washington, D.C., and as a staffer on the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, assisting with oversight of implementation of the 2002 farm bill and the writing of the 2008 farm bill. Ferrell holds a doctorate in rural sociology from Iowa State University.
“Having lived in a small rural community most of my life, I recognize the need to identify and partner with entrepreneurs, established businesses and leaders in our rural communities,” said Ferrell. “I am proud to take on a new role at USDA Rural Development and look forward to doing my part to make Iowa a better place to live and work.”
USDA Business Programs provide financial backing and technical assistance to stimulate business creation and growth. The programs work through partnerships with public and private community based organizations and financial institutions to provide financial assistance, business development, and technical assistance to rural businesses. These programs help to provide capital, equipment, space, job training, and entrepreneurial skills that can help to start and/or grow a business.
Background
From the classroom to the workplace, the USDA supports student engagement, veterans, recruitment, retention, and agricultural workforce development. See USDA employment opportunities at https://usda.usajobs.gov/
USDA Rural Development has 11 offices across the state to serve the 1.7 million Iowans living in rural communities and areas. Office locations include a state office in Des Moines, along with area offices in Albia, Atlantic, Humboldt, Indianola, Iowa Falls, Le Mars, Mount Pleasant, Storm Lake, Tipton, and Waverly.
To learn more about investment resources for rural areas in Iowa, call (515) 284-4663 or visit www.rd.usda.gov/ia. If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, promoting competition and fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate-smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.
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