WASHINGTON, Dec. 13, 2021 – Today, President Joe Biden has announced that Rhiannon Hampson has been appointed as Rural Development State Director in Maine. 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.
“As USDA continues to improve the lives of Americans each day in positive ways, we welcome these talented individuals to advancing our shared mission,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “Each of them will add to the experienced, dedicated and growing team throughout the Department.”
USDA Rural Development State Director Rhiannon C. Hampson said, “I am honored to serve in this position, and eager to do the work of translating the values of this administration into meaningful investments for Maine. We are at a precipice of opportunity, and through thoughtful leadership and collaboration we can ensure Maine’s prosperous future.”
Rhiannon Hampson is a committed public servant with a career focused on advocacy and community engagement. Rhiannon was raised in some of the most rural pockets of Maine and most recently proudly represented her state as the District Representative for Agricultural and Environmental issues in Congresswoman Chellie Pingree’s office. In that role, Hampson deepened her knowledge of Maine’s heritage industries and observed firsthand how USDA uplifts rural communities. A proud member of a multigenerational military family, Hampson honors the commitment to “be of service” by engaging in efforts to foster greater inclusion for all citizens and has previously enjoyed professional employment in social work for adults with developmental disabilities. Rhiannon is a graduate of the University of Maine at Machias where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Community Studies.
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/me. 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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