MT LAUREL, NJ, March 14, 2022 – President Biden has announced that Jane Asselta has been appointed as Rural Development State Director in New Jersey. She officially assumes this role today. State Directors serve as the chief executive officer of Rural Development in the states and territories and are tasked with carrying out the mission of rural development to the benefit of everyone in rural America. In conjunction with the guidance and support of the National Office, State Directors are responsible for promoting the mission and strategic goals of Rural Development and provide key leadership to develop and support a productive, diverse, and inclusive state workforce.
“I am thrilled to welcome these talented and experienced public servants to USDA at a critical time in the Biden-Harris administration,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “I look forward to working alongside these individuals to build a better America.”
USDA Rural Development State Director Jane Asselta said, “I am honored to be appointed by President Biden and grateful for the privilege to serve New Jersey’s rural towns, residents and businesses to increase economic opportunities and improve quality of life standards and conditions. USDA Rural Development programs finance some $250 million in annual obligations in New Jersey, which makes a real difference for rural towns and their residents. I look forward to leading New Jersey Rural Development and contributing to its impact on rural investments in infrastructure, community services, business development and affordable housing throughout our state.”
Jane Asselta served as Vice President of the Southern New Jersey Development Council (SNJDC), a 501(c)(6) non-profit business association comprised of key leaders and decision-makers representing businesses and organizations in the public and private sectors who care about the issues concerning the current and future development in New Jersey’s eight southern counties. Prior to joining the SNJDC, Asselta operated a boutique fundraising consulting firm in Chicago, which relocated to South Jersey in 2005, providing candidates for public office services including developing a fundraising strategy and plan; structuring, staffing, and supervising a finance department and team; and organizing major fundraising events with high-profile special guests. Asselta is a native of Vineland, growing up a few miles from the family’s produce farm when “farm to table” was a way of life. Asselta is a graduate of Douglass College, Rutgers University, and Vineland High School.
USDA Rural Development has a State Office in Mt. Laurel, and three Area Offices located in Hackettstown, Columbus, and Vineland. Currently, there are 23 full-time staff who serve New Jersey’s agricultural producers, rural communities, businesses and residents.
Under the Biden-Harris Administration, Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, Tribal and high-poverty areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov. 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, ensuring access to 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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