Tas Smith appointed to head state ag agency

ATHENS — The Trump Administration recently appointed Tas Smith as the new state executive director for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Georgia Farm Service Agency.

Smith, who joined the Georgia FSA team on Nov. 13, had worked for the Georgia Farm Bureau Federation since 2005, working with farmers across the state to help shape federal farm policy.

A 2009 graduate of the Georgia Agri-Leaders Institute, Smith earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Valdosta State University and a Master’s in Business Administration from Tiffin University.

The FSA serves farmers, ranchers and agricultural partners through the delivery of effective, efficient agricultural programs. The agency offers farmers a safety net through the administration of farm commodity and disaster programs and works to conserve natural resources. The agency also provides credit to agricultural producers who are unable to receive private, commercial credit, including special emphasis on beginning, underserved, and women farmers and ranchers.

Former Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue oversees USDA as the U.S. agriculture secretary.