[Growing_farmers] The Federation ¹ s Shirley Sherrod Now Heads USDA's Rural Development in Georgia

[Heather Gray]

For Immediate Release: September 24, 2009
Contact: Heather Gray 404 765 0991
Federation of Southern Cooperatives/
Land Assistance Fund
http://www.federation.coop

The Federation¹s Shirley Sherrod Now Heads USDA's Rural Development in
Georgia 
Sherrod is the first African American to hold this position in Georgia


FSC staff Jerry Pennick, John Zippert, Shirley Sherrod;
USDA's Rural Development Director Dallas Tonsager; FSC staff Ralph Paige
at FSC Annual Meeting - August 2009

ATLANTA, GA.... In July 2009 former Federation staff member Shirley Sherrod
was appointed as the USDA Rural Development Georgia State Director. Sherrod
had worked with Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund
since 1985 as the organization's Director of the Georgia State Office. "We
are proud that Shirley has been appointed to this position at Rural
Development not just because she is the first African American in Georgia to
hold the post, but also because of her vast experience in agriculture and
rural development. Now the entire State of Georgia will benefit from her
expertise. There is probably no one in the state who understands the
challenges faced by rural communities as well as Shirley. In fact, under her
leadership and creative initiatives she has been instrumental in vastly
increasing opportunities and income for farmers and rural communities" said
Ralph Paige executive Director of the Federation of Southern
Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund.

Below are excerpts of the press release issued by the USDA on July 30
announcing her appointment with Rural Development.

OBAMA ADMINISTRATION CONTINUES NAMING
STATE DIRECTORS FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT

WASHINGTON, July 30, 2009- The Obama Administration today continued naming
individuals who will serve as State Director for Rural Development at the
USDA.

"These individuals will be important advocates on behalf of rural
communities in states throughout the country and help administer the
valuable programs and services provided by the USDA that can enhance their
economic success," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack....

Shirley Sherrod (to serve as USDA Rural Development Georgia State Director)
- Since 1985, Sherrod has served as Director of the Georgia Field Office for
the Federation of Southern Cooperative/Land Assistance Fund. She has also
served as Georgia State Lead for the Southern Rural Black Women's'
Initiative for Economic and Social Justice. From 1999-2000, Sherrod served
as Executive Director for Community Alliances of Interdependent Agriculture,
Inc., in Albany, Ga. Sherrod has more than 15 years experience working with
agriculture-focused organizations. Sherrod received a B.A. in Sociology from
Albany State University in Albany, Ga., and a M.A. in Community Development
from Antioch University in Yellow Springs, Ohio.

Rural Development administers and manages over 40 housing, business, and
community infrastructure and facility programs as laid out by Congress
through a network of 6,100 employees located in 500 national, state and
local offices. These programs are designed to improve the economic stability
of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and
improve the quality of life in rural America. Rural Development has an
existing portfolio of over $114 billion in loans and loan guarantees.

The USDA provides leadership on food, agriculture and natural resources and
touches the life of every American. Reflecting President Obama's commitment
to expanding economic opportunities in rural America, Agriculture Secretary
Tom Vilsack and the USDA are working to enhance availability of broadband,
promote the development of renewable energy, to conserve, maintain and
improve our natural resources and environment, and promote a sustainable,
safe, sufficient and nutritious food supply.

For more information about Rural Development and its many programs please go
to its website at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/ .
### 

Note: The Federation/LAF, now in its 43rd year,  assists Black family
farmers across the South with farm management, debt restructuring,
alternative crop suggestions, marketing expertise and a whole range of
services to ensure family farm survivability. 
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