Clark Putman was appointed by the Trump Administration to serve as the state executive director of the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) in New York in May 2025. 

Putman returns to FSA where he previously served as the state executive director for New York during President Trump’s first term. He began his career with FSA in 1988 as a county operations trainee. After successfully completing the training program, he worked as a county executive director for 29 years, mainly serving producers in St. Lawrence County. 

Putman has been actively involved in his community and has served as president of the Northern New York Bulk Milk Producers Cooperative, vice chairperson of the Northco Board of Managers, and a delegate for Genex Cooperative. He was active in Rotary Club and served on both the Cornell Cooperative Extension Board and County Farm Bureau Board for St. Lawrence County.

He earned an associate degree in agribusiness from State University of New York Morrisville and a bachelor’s degree in applied economics and farm management from Cornell University. 

Putman and his wife, Nancy, own and operate his family’s dairy farm. They have two children who also love farming. Their farm has received the Dairy of Distinction award in addition to multiple Super Milk awards, which recognize New York farmers that meet superior milk quality standards.