Ben Baker appointed State Director, Missouri Rural Development, by President Trump
Ben Baker of Neosho has been appointed State Director for Rural Development in Missouri by President Donald Trump.
Baker has made his name known as a District 160 Missouri State Representative with a focus on government efficiency and public service.
“I have accepted an appointment by President Donald Trump to be the State Director of Rural Development for the USDA!,” Baker said in a Facebook post. “This is such an honor to serve my state and help Make America Great Again!” he added.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced Baker’s new position as a part of the latest slate of presidential appointments for key Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Rural Development (RD) State Director roles.
In addition to his legislative duties, Baker is a lay minister, missionary, former professor and former dean of students at Ozark Bible Institute in Neosho. He also owns a small construction business that specializes in artisan trim-work. Baker also served on the Neosho City Council and as mayor of Neosho.
Baker is a past church board member, and also a past board president of Care Net Pregnancy Resource Center. He is also involved with Ozark Christian Missions and has led mission trips to India, Africa, and Central America.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Ozark Bible Institute.
“When America’s farming communities prosper, the entire nation thrives. This new group of USDA appointees will ensure President Trump’s America First agenda is a reality in rural areas across the country. I am grateful for the leadership of these new state directors and look forward to their work reorienting the agency to put Farmers First again,” said Secretary Rollins.
FSA State Directors help implement President Trump’s America First agenda and execute the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) policies in planning, organizing, and administering FSA programs through state offices across the country. RD State Directors help affirm the mission of the Trump Administration by focusing on finding ways to empower rural America and unleash economic prosperity.