Source: United States Senator for Colorado Michael Bennet
Washington, D.C.— Today, Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet, chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry’s Subcommittee on Conservation, Climate, Forestry, and Natural Resources, and John Hickenlooper released the following statements after President Joe Biden announced his intent to appoint Kent Peppler to serve as Colorado State Executive Director of the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Armando Valdez to serve as Colorado State Director for USDA Rural Development:
“From food production to rural development, agriculture is central to Colorado’s economy,” said Bennet. “As Colorado producers, Kent and Armando have a deep understanding of the important role USDA plays in our state, especially our rural communities. With their personal experience operating farms and their background at USDA, Kent and Armando are exactly the leaders Colorado’s agriculture economy needs. As a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, I look forward to working with them to support our farmers, ranchers, and rural communities in Colorado.”
“Armando Valdez and Kent Peppler are Colorado farmers who know the ins and outs of our agriculture,” said Hickenlooper. “They’ll hit the ground running at USDA.”
Kent Peppler — a fourth-generation farmer at Peppler Farms in Weld County — has over 40 years of experience in agriculture. He has served as a member of the Colorado FSA State Committee, Acting State Executive Director for the USDA FSA in Colorado under the Clinton Administration, Assistant State Executive Director for the USDA FSA in Colorado, and most recently, as Rocky Mountain Farmers Union President. Today, he continues to operate Peppler Farms in Mead, Colorado.
Armando Valdez was born and raised in the San Luis Valley on a cattle, sheep, small grains, and hay operation. For five years under the Obama Administration, Valdez served as Executive Chair for the USDA FSA. In that position, he helped administer the Farm Bill, execute farm policy, and manage other federal programs to support farmers and ranchers. In 2007, he created Valdez Land & Livestock to continue his family’s farm operation. He operates it today along with his sister and their families. Valdez is also a business professor at Adams State University and serves on the Board of the Rio Grande Water Conservation District.