WASHINGTON — On Jan. 4, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced John Berge has been appointed Farm Service Agency State Executive Director for Nebraska.
FSA State Executive Directors oversee Farm Service Agency operations and agricultural policy implementation in the state. Each State Executive Director works with the State Committee to administer FSA programs and County office operations, develops and maintains stakeholder relationships with customers and other agencies and governments.
A western Nebraska native who grew up on a corn and wheat farm, Berge has served as the General Manager of the North Platte Natural Resources District in Scottsbluff, Neb., since 2013. He returns to USDA after serving in a number of positions from 2009 to 2013.
In 2009, Berge was appointed White House Liaison to the Department of Agriculture. He was later appointed Deputy and Acting Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations, the Deputy Administrator for Field Operations at FSA, and the Executive Director of the National Food and Agriculture Council at USDA.
Before joining USDA, he served as the Executive Director of the Western Nebraska Community College Foundation and on the staffs of Senators Jim Exon, Bob Kerrey, and Ben Nelson. Berge is a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Omaha and holds a Certificate in Climate Change and Energy from the Harvard Kennedy School. A current student in the Masters of Applied Science program in Environmental Studies at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, he resides in Gering, Neb.
Nebraska Farmers Union (NeFU) applauded Berge’s appointment.
NeFU President John Hansen said, “We know John Berge well. He has a vast background in farm policy, the legislative process, USDA administrative and organizational policies and structure, and Nebraska agriculture and natural resources. In addition, NeFU believes Berge’s experience as General Manager of the North Platte Natural Resources District and familiarity with western Nebraska agriculture and its natural resources, crops, climate and production challenges are a valuable asset.”
Hansen noted, “NeFU worked closely with John Berge in his previous positions as legislative staff for U.S. Senators Exon, Kerrey, and Nelson. Berge’s extensive knowledge and experience with USDA at both the state and national levels will allow him to hit the ground running.”
— U.S. Department of Agriculture
— Nebraska Farmers Union