U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced Travis T. Burton has been appointed by President Donald Trump to serve as the USDA Rural Development state director for Kentucky. Burton will implement President Trump’s America First agenda at USDA Rural Development, ensuring the needs of America’s farmers, ranchers, and producers remain a top priority.
“When America’s farming communities prosper, the entire nation thrives. This new group of USDA appointees will ensure President Trump’s America First agenda is a reality in rural areas across the country. I am grateful for the leadership of these new state directors and look forward to their work reorienting the agency to put Farmers First again,” said Rollins.
Most recently, Burton served as associate vice president of government affairs for the Kentucky Hospital Association, working with state leaders to improve rural health care in the commonwealth.
“I’m honored to be appointed by President Trump to serve our state in this role,” said Burton. “Under the President’s and Secretary Rollins’ leadership, we’ll continue fighting to drive economic growth and improve life in rural Kentucky.”
Burton resides in Garrard County with his wife, Lindsay, a kindergarten teacher, and their young children.
State Directors serve as the Chief Executive Officer of USDA Rural Development in the states and territories and are tasked with leading teams to carry out the mission of Rural Development to the benefit of all rural Americans. In conjunction with the guidance and support of the National Office, State Directors are responsible for advancing the key priorities and initiatives of the Presidential Administration, the Secretary of Agriculture and the Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development. State Directors also provide key leadership to foster a mission-driven, accountable, and high-performing workforce focused on operational excellence, public trust, and responsible stewardship of taxpayer resources.
To learn more about USDA Rural Development’s leadership and programs, view www.rd.usda.gov.