NEWS RELEASE

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar announced today (Tuesday, Oct. 20) that her recommendations of Minnesotans to serve in the top positions of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Minnesota have been appointed by President Obama.

Earlier this year, Klobuchar recommended Dave Haugo to serve as FSA State Committee Chairperson, and Kent Kanten, Richard Peterson, Roger Vogt, and Scott Winslow to serve as FSA State Committee Members.

“These individuals understand Minnesota agriculture and will work hard to keep our farms and rural communities strong,” said Klobuchar.  “They recognize the importance of having a strong safety net for farmers and investing in the rural energy economy – which will create jobs, boost our economy and help Minnesota farmers.

The FSA administers and manages farm commodity, credit, conservation, and disaster and loan programs as laid out by Congress through a network of federal, state and county offices. State FSA officials directly administer programs designed to improve the economic stability of the agricultural industry and to help farmers adjust production to meet demand.

Below are brief bios for each individual from Minnesota:

David Haugo (Mahnomen), State Committee Chair

Haugo was chairman of the Minnesota FSA State Committee from 1993 to 2000. He and his family produce wheat, barley, navy beans, sugar beets, corn, soybeans and alfalfa on a farm in northwest part of the state.

Kent Kanten (Milan), State Committee Member

Kanten served as former Minnesota FSA committee member for eight years during the Clinton Administration. He and his wife own and operate a corn, soybean and sugar beat farm.

Richard Peterson (Mountain Lake), State Committee Member

Peterson is a lifelong farmer from southwest part of the state. He has been active in many commodity organizations including the Minnesota Corn Research and Promotion Council and state FFA Foundation.

Roger Vogt (Palisade), State Committee Member

Vogt has been chairman of the Atkin County FSA Committee for seven years. He and his wife own and operate a potato farm in Aitkin County, Minn.

Scott Winslow (Fountain), State Committee Member

Winslow is currently in his eleventh year as chairman of the Fillmore County Farm Bureau. He and his wife operate a family farm in the southeast part of the state.