Patrick
H. Brennan was re-appointed State Director of USDA Rural Development in New York
on January 10, 2007 by Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns. As State Director,
Mr. Brennan guides the office’s economic development and quality of life
programs and oversees a $200 million program budget and 120 full- time
employees.
Prior to his re-appointment with the Bush administration, Mr. Brennan served as New York State Agriculture Commissioner under Governor George E. Pataki from January 2006 to January 2007. Mr. Brennan previously served as State Director from June 2001 to January 2006.
In addition to his service as Agriculture Commissioner, Mr. Brennan has held several New York State government posts. From March 1998 to October 1999, he served as Governor Pataki’s Environmental Bond Act Coordinator and Agricultural Policy Analyst for the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (NYSDAM). During this time, Mr. Brennan was responsible for the administration of New York's Farmland Protection Program and the Agricultural Non- Point Source Pollution Abatement and Control Program. In October 1999, Mr. Brennan was promoted to Special Assistant for Agricultural Economic Development for NYSDAM, where he played a key role in creating an economic development program for New York's agricultural community commonly known as GROW- NY. The program helped agricultural producers and agri-businesses overcome technical and regulatory obstacles to business development.
Prior to working with NYSDAM, Mr. Brennan worked in the New York State Legislature for former State Senator Raymond A. Meier. Mr. Brennan also spent two years as a New York Farm Bureau field representative, advocating for New York State's 36,000 farm families.
Mr. Brennan grew up in the Town of Paris (Oneida County) on his family's dairy farm operation. He is most proud of his practical experience in agriculture – that of a working dairy farmer. The dairy is still in operation, and Mr. Brennan remains active on a part- time basis.
Mr. Brennan currently resides in Waterville, NY (Oneida County) with his wife, Sheri, and their two sons, Joshua Patrick and Edwin Daniel.