Richard Fordyce
Jul 24, 2025
WASHINGTON, DC – On Wednesday, July 23, the Senate Agriculture Committee held a confirmation hearing for Richard Fordyce, the nominee to serve as Under Secretary for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC) mission area.
Fordyce, a Missouri farmer and former Administrator of the Farm Service Agency (FSA), is widely respected across the agriculture community for his leadership and hands-on experience in farm policy and conservation.
Following President Donald Trump’s nomination of Richard Fordyce to lead FPAC in January 2025, more than 80 national and state agricultural organizations, including USA Rice, expressed their support for his confirmation. In a joint letter to Senate leaders, stakeholders emphasized that “America’s farmers and rural communities depend on the effective administration of USDA’s FPAC programs,” and urged the Senate to move quickly on his confirmation.
As Under Secretary, Fordyce would oversee FPAC’s wide-ranging portfolio, which includes the FSA, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and Risk Management Agency (RMA). These agencies are responsible for delivering farm safety net programs, lending, disaster assistance, and conservation programs, all of which are critical to the stability and resilience of U.S. agriculture.
“Having Richard Fordyce at the helm of the FPAC mission area is critical as producers face continued uncertainty from low commodity prices, high input costs, and extreme weather events,” said USA Rice Vice President of Government Affairs Jake Westlin. “Richard brings a wealth of experience to USDA, having previously served as FSA Administrator and as a farmer. We are excited about the opportunity to work with Richard once confirmed to help implement the One Big Beautify Bill.”
Fordyce served as Administrator of the Farm Service Agency from 2018 to 2021, where he oversaw the implementation of key farm programs and emergency assistance during a period of significant challenges for producers. His broader background includes stints as Missouri’s director of agriculture and chair of the State Soil & Water Districts Commission. He also held national leadership roles, including chair of the Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee for both the Missouri Farm Bureau and the American Farm Bureau Federation, further underscoring his long-standing commitment to agricultural leadership and producer engagement.
During the hearing, Fordyce fielded questions on disaster assistance delivery, crop insurance modernization, and improving access to USDA programs. He emphasized the importance of adapting risk management tools to meet evolving producer needs and highlighted his commitment to ensuring USDA programs are responsive and accessible. Committee members from both sides of the aisle expressed confidence in his qualifications and leadership approach, and several noted that his firsthand experience as a farmer brings valuable perspective to the role.
In addition to Fordyce’s hearing, the Senate Agriculture Committee on Monday, July 21, voted to advance two other USDA nominees: Dudley Hoskins, nominated for Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs and Dr. Scott Hutchins, nominated for Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics. Both nominees were favorably reported by the committee and will now move to the full Senate for consideration.