Ben Baker bids farewell to MO House; takes USDA state director job

A southwest Missouri lawmaker is joining the Trump Administration. 

President Trump has chosen Neosho State Representative Ben Baker as the state director for the USDA’s Rural Development Office. 

During a farewell to House members, Baker said he’s humbled to accept the job.

“How in the world has this happened to me, where the President has the confidence in me to do this job in our state? That to me, has been the honor of my life,” he said.

The USDA’s Rural Development office provides loans, grants, and other economic development tools to rural communities across the state.