Contact:Tim McNeilly, (202) 690-0498

USDA APPOINTS D. PAUL VENOSDEL TO HEAD RURAL DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS IN CALIFORNIA

      WASHINGTON, Jan. 18, 2002--The U.S. Department of Agriculture today appointed D. Paul Venosdel as the California State Director for USDA Rural Development.

     "We are very pleased that Paul will be joining the USDA team,” said Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman. "Paul brings to this position tremendous experience in agriculture."

     Venosdel, from Elk Grove, Calf., has worked the past six years for the California Farm Bureau. His responsibilities included helping develop positions on federal legislation and regulations pertaining to farm programs, budget and taxation issues. Venosdel also developed a comprehensive district office visit program for state and federally elected representatives.

     Prior to working with the Farm Bureau, Venosdel served two years as a field representative for California State Assemblyman Jim Costa. In 1998, he served as an independent review committee member for the California Farm Service Agency. Venosdel received his Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural business from California State University in Fresno.

     USDA Rural Development serves as the lead federal entity for rural development needs, and administers financial and technical assistance through three agencies: Rural Housing Service, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, and Rural Utilities Service. Further information on USDA Rural Development programs can be obtained by visiting USDA's web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov.

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