News Release

Tim McNeilly, (202) 720-1019

USDA APPOINTS DALE SHERWIN TO HEAD RURAL DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS IN MICHIGAN

     WASHINGTON, April 24, 2003--- The U.S. Department of Agriculture today appointed Dale A. Sherwin as the Michigan State Director for USDA Rural Development.

     Sherwin from Lansing, Mich., has worked for the Michigan Department of Agriculture for the past six years. During that time, he served as the director of agriculture policy and provided advice on National Association of State Departments of Agriculture issues. In addition, he was a delegate to the National Governors' Ethanol Coalition, member of the Corn Growers' Ethanol Advisory Committee, and senior advisor on biotech issues for the Michigan Department of Agriculture.

     During the Nixon and Ford Administrations Sherwin served in several capacities within the U.S. Department of Agriculture, including: chief legislative liaison to former Secretary Earl Butz; Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Affairs and Commodity Programs; and assistant director of legislative affairs for the Foreign Agricultural Service. Sherwin also worked as a staff director for the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry.

     Prior to his service with the U.S. Senate and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Sherwin spent over a decade working with the American Farm Bureau Federation and the Michigan Farm Bureau. Sherwin began his career in agriculture as a Genesee County farmer, where he operated a dairy, laying hen, cattle and general field crop farm. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in animal husbandry from Michigan State University.

     USDA Rural Development's mission is to deliver programs in a way that will support increasing economic opportunity and improve the quality of life of rural residents. As a venture capital entity, Rural Development provides equity, liquidity, and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development, and critical community and technology infrastructure. Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA's web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov.

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