USDA Names New Appointees to the Rhode Island Farm Service Agency State Committee

Warwick, R.I., April 18, 2024 - The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) today announces the appointment of Cristina Cabrera of Providence and Michelle Garman of Newport County to serve on the Rhode Island FSA state committee. Each FSA state committee is comprised of three to five members including a designated chairperson. Cabrera and Garman join three previously appointed Rhode Island FSA State Committee members.

The individuals appointed to serve on the FSA State committee for Rhode Island are:

• Committee Chair Alfred R. Bettencourt, Jr. - Burrillville*
• Albert Brandon - Narragansett*
• Cristina Cabrera - Providence
• Michelle Garman - Newport County
• Maggie Laprise - Exeter*

*Bettencourt, Brandon and Laprise were appointed, previously announced and have been serving on the Rhode Island FSA State Committee since November 2021 (Bettencourt) and September 2022 (Brandon and Laprise).

Members of the FSA state committee are appointed by Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and are responsible for the oversight of farm programs and county committee operations, resolving program delivery appeals from the agriculture community, maintaining cooperative relations with industry stakeholders, keeping producers informed about FSA programs and operating in a manner consistent with USDA equal opportunity and civil rights policies.

"The FSA state committee members play an integral role in the continuity of operations, equitable and inclusive program administration and ensure the overall integrity of services to the nation's agricultural producers," said Marcus Graham, FSA Deputy Administrator for Field Operations. "These individuals have proven themselves to be leaders, early adopters and key influencers in the agriculture industry in their respective states - qualities that will serve them well in these key Biden-Harris Administration leadership positions.

The 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. Under 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 safe, 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 usda.gov.