Clark Chapin named to agricultural post by Trump administration

TOLLAND — The Trump Administration recently appointed Clark Chapin as the new State Executive Director (SED) for the USDA Connecticut Farm Service Agency (FSA), according to a press release. Chapin joined the Connecticut FSA team on Monday, Oct. 30.

Chapin has been a longtime advocate for Connecticut agriculture and farmland protection. He grew up on a dairy farm in Litchfield County.

As a state legislator for 16 years, Chapin, a New Milford native, earned the respect of his colleagues as well as Connecticut’s farming community for being a leader in agricultural policy, officials said in the release.

Since leaving the legislature in January 2017, Chapin has continued to work on agricultural viability issues and farmland protection efforts as Project Director for Working Lands Alliance, a project of American Farmland Trust.

The Farm Service Agency serves farmers, ranchers and agricultural partners through the delivery of effective, efficient agricultural programs. The agency offers farmers a strong safety net through the administration of farm commodity and disaster programs. FSA continues to conserve natural resources and also provides credit to agricultural producers who are unable to receive private, commercial credit, including special emphasis on beginning, underserved and women farmers and ranchers.

Under the direction of Secretary Sonny Perdue, the USDA will always be factbased and data-driven, with a decision-making mindset that is customer-focused. Secretary Perdue leads the USDA with four guiding principles: to maximize the ability of American agriculture to create jobs, sell foods and fiber, and feed and clothe the world; to prioritize customer service for the taxpayers; to ensure that our food supply is safe and secure; and to maintain good stewardship of the natural resources that provide us with our miraculous bounty. Understanding that we live in a global economy where trade is of top importance, Secretary Perdue has pledged to be an unapologetic advocate for American agriculture.

As SED, Chapin will use his leadership experience to oversee FSA programs in a customer-focused manner to ensure a safe, affordable, abundant, and nutritious food supply for consumers, according to the release.