Brad Thykeson has been appointed as state executive director with the North Dakota Farm Service Agency, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced last week.

Tom Campbell was appointed as state director for North Dakota Rural Development.

Thykeson had served as executive director for the agency during President Donald Trump’s first term. He and his wife, Karla, are third-generation farmers who farm corn, soybeans, wheat and edible beans with his two sons and families in Steele, Barnes and Trail counties.

Campbell started Campbell Farms with his two brothers. Tom has been an entrepreneur involved with farming, real estate and banking. He has served on various boards and committees and received a degree from North Dakota State University.

State directors help implement the president’s America First agenda and execute USDA’s policies in planning, organizing and administering agency programs. Rural Development directors focus on finding ways to empower rural America and unleash economic prosperity, according to a USDA news release.