Biden Administration Appoints Joe Aull to Serve as State Executive Director for USDA’s Farm Service Agency in Missouri

WASHINGTON, Jan. 6, 2022— The Biden Administration recently appointed Joe Aull as the new State Executive Director (SED) for the USDA Missouri Farm Service Agency (FSA). Aull joined the Missouri FSA team on Jan. 3, 2022.

"Individuals selected to serve as FSA State Executive Directors are incredible public servants who have a proven track record when it comes to their commitment to advance their states and communities," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "Each will serve on the frontlines, carrying out USDA's mission at the state level and ensuring the voice of each and every USDA customer is heard. We are fortunate to have each of these talented individuals at this critical time for farmers and producers and rural communities across America."

Aull has lived in Missouri his whole life, and he has been in the field of public service for his entire career. Aull was an educator in four different school districts in Missouri for a total of 34 years, serving as a teacher, a coach, a middle school principal, a high school principal, and a school superintendent. Most recently he was the Superintendent of the Lexington and the Marshall School Districts.  In 2002, Joe received the Pearce Award as the outstanding Superintendent of the year for the State of Missouri. He was also a member of The Board of Directors of the Missouri State High School Activities Association for five years, and he served as President for one year. Joe received the Pioneer in Education award from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in 2018.

After retiring from public education, Aull was elected to the Missouri House of Representatives, where he served for eight years. During his time in the House, he was the Ranking Member of the Elementary and Secondary Education Committee and served eight years as a member of the House Agriculture Policy Committee.

As SED, Aull will be responsible for overseeing the delivery of FSA programs to agricultural producers in Missouri.  These commodity, conservation, credit, and disaster assistance programs ensure a safe, affordable, abundant, and nutritious food, fiber, and fuel supply for consumers.

"The State Executive Director is a pivotal leadership position for the Agency and for the agricultural producers we serve," said Marcus Graham, FSA Deputy Administrator for Field Operations.  "These leaders, appointed by the Biden-Harris Administration, bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to their respective states. We are happy to have them on board and wish them much success."

Farm Service Agency serves farmers, ranchers, foresters, and agricultural partners through the effective, efficient, and equitable delivery of federal agricultural programs. The Agency offers producers a strong safety net through the administration of farm commodity and disaster programs. Additionally, through conservation programs, FSA continues to preserve and protect natural resources and provides credit to agricultural producers who are unable to receive private, commercial credit, including targeted loan funds for beginning, underserved, women and military veterans involved in production agriculture.

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.