(RALEIGH, North Carolina, May 5, 2025) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced Robert Hosford is appointed by President Donald Trump to serve as the USDA Rural Development State Director for the state of North Carolina. Director Hosford 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 Secretary Rollins.
“I look forward to implementing President Trump’s America First agenda at USDA Rural Development in North Carolina,” said Hosford. “Secretary Rollins and myself are dedicated to the expansion of resources in rural communities across rural America.”
Hosford returns to the position of State Director for Rural Development in North Carolina. He previously held the position during President Trump’s first term. He previously served as the Chief of Staff for the USDA Farm Service Agency from 2003 through 2009. Hosford relocated to Washington D.C., as a part of the Government Affairs team for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association after earning a B.S. from Mississippi State University in 1996.
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.
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