Bruce Nelson appointed head of FSA

A north-central Montanan has been appointed to one of the top positions in the U. S. Department of Agriculture.

The administration of President Barack Obama announced Monday that it had apppointed Montana Farm Service Agency Executive Director Bruce Nelson, a Fort Benton native, acting administrator of the FSA.

"It has been an honor and privilege to work for the hardworking farmers, ranchers and FSA employees across Montana, " Nelson said in a release announcing his appointment. "While Montana has always been our home and always will be, I'm thankful for the opportunity to work for agricultural producers here at home and across this great country. "

Montana FSA Chief Administrative Officer Richard Deschamps will serve as acting state executive director in Bozeman.

Val Dolcini, FSA state executive director in California, had been acting FSA administrator since Jonathan Coppes left the administrator position to serve as chief counsel in the Senate Agriculture Committee while work begins on the 2012 Farm Bill.

Montana's U. S. Sen. Max Baucus Monday praised Nelson's appointment.

"Bruce is fourth-generation Montana wheat farmer and an all-around great guy, " Baucus said. "I know he will continue to be a great asset to Montanans in this new position.

"I look forward to continuing to work with Bruce as we fight to make sure the next farm bill is as strong as it can be for Montana jobs and our agriculture industry, " he added. "

Montana's Sen. Jon Tester also said he believes Nelson is a good choice.

"Montana's family farmers and ranchers need a leader at the FSA who knows what it's like to have his hands in the dirt, and Bruce is the right guy for the job," Tester said this morning.