Release No. 0446.05

Contact:

Ed Loyd (202) 720-4623

Stevin Westcott (202) 720-4178

JOHANNS NAMES LASSETER AS FARM SERVICE AGENCY ADMINISTRATOR

MOULTRIE, Ga., Oct. 18, 2005- Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today appointed Teresa Coarsey Lasseter as administrator of the Farm Service Agency (FSA).

"Teresa Lasseter's experience at the local, state and federal levels, combined with her personal involvement with agriculture, provide her with tremendous insight and an ability to lead the Farm Service Agency into the future," said Johanns. "Her commitment to service fits perfectly with the agency's long tradition of serving America's farmers and ranchers."

Johanns announced the appointment prior to hosting the Georgia Farm Bill Forum, the eighteenth hosted by Johanns and the thirty-fourth in a series of forums in which members of the public are invited to express their views about farm and rural policy, in preparation for the development of the next farm bill in 2007.

As FSA administrator, Lasseter will oversee farm programs, farm loans, commodity operations, conservation programs, disaster assistance and field operations at FSA offices in all fifty states.

Lasseter, a Georgia native, served at FSA from 2001 to 2003, first at state executive director in Georgia and later at associate administrator for farm programs in Washington, D.C. Previously, she served as executive director of the Georgia Agrirama Development Authority from 1993 to 1999 and also worked for the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service, FSA's predecessor, in several positions from 1977 to 1993, culminating as a county executive director for Lee County.

Lasseter was the recipient of the USDA's Unsung Hero Award and the Athena Award, and she received the Farm Service Agency Administrator's Award for outstanding work specifically for implementing the 2002 Farm Security and Rural Investment Act. Her community service includes serving in leadership roles with the Tifton Rotary Club, Tift County American Cancer Society, and Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce. Lasseter and her husband, Willard, have two children.

Lasseter is an honor graduate from the Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College with an associate degree in Business Administration.

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