Local commissioner takes over as FSA Montana executive director

From U.S. Department of Agriculture

WASHINGTON - The Biden Administration announced Monday it has appointed Liberty Commissioner Maureen "Morb" Wicks as the new state executive director for the USDA Montana Farm Service Agency.

USDA first announced in June it would appoint Wicks to the position in June. She joined the Montana FSA team July 18.

"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," Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said. "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."

Wicks, a dryland wheat farmer from Liberty County, has been working for Montana farmers for more than 30 years. From 1985-1995, she was heavily involved in Women Involved in Farm Economics - WIFE - including serving as the Hi-Line Chapter president and helping lead several lobbying trips to Washington, D.C., to champion family farm policy issues. In 1998, Wicks was the first female elected to the Liberty County Farm Service Agency County Committee, where she served for 16 years.

In 2014, Wicks was elected to serve as a Liberty County commissioner and was re-elected in 2021. During her time as a commissioner, Wicks served on the Montana Association of Counties Agriculture Committee, Liberty County Mental Health Advisory Board, and The Liberty County Council on Aging. She has also served on the Tiber County Water Board, the Bear Paw Development Board, and the Liberty Medical Center Board. Wicks is a member of Montana Grain Growers and the Montana Farmer's Union. She holds a B.A. in Political Science and Government from Montana State University and taught Government/Social Studies for more than 15 years in both rural and urban school districts in Montana.

As state executive director, Wicks will be responsible for overseeing the delivery of FSA programs to agricultural producers in Montana. 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," FSA Deputy Administrator for Field Operations Marcus Graham said. "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 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, people can visit http://usda.gov .