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Key USDA staff updates announced

Recent USDA promotions and appointments strengthen core services

By Farms.com

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today unveiled a series of important staff appointments and promotions that will impact several of its key departments, including marketing, food and nutrition, and rural development.

Eric Deeble, previously serving as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations, has been promoted to Deputy Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs.

Deeble's experience includes significant policy work in agriculture and nutrition, bolstered by his academic background in veterinary medicine and anthropology.

Cindy Long, elevated to Deputy Under Secretary for Food and Nutrition Service, brings extensive experience from within the Food and Nutrition Service where she played a pivotal role in major nutritional initiatives and the overhaul of child nutrition programs under the Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act.

Sean Babington steps up as Deputy Chief of Staff in the Office of the Secretary, where he will continue to drive the administration's climate agenda forward. His previous roles include significant contributions to forestry, pesticides, and climate policy in the Senate and direct advisory positions on energy and natural resources.

Andrew Dinsmore now leads as Maryland and Delaware State Director for Rural Development, bringing his extensive background in economic development and appropriations to the fore, enhancing USDA's focus on rural community support.

Pam Monetti, appointed as the Illinois State Director for Rural Development, transitions from a robust career in public relations and community safety to a role that will utilize her extensive experience in handling complex community and media relations.

These strategic updates within the USDA are designed to fortify its capabilities, ensuring that its various departments are led by individuals with a deep understanding of both the challenges and opportunities within the agricultural sector.


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Kubota Narrow Tractors Compared | B2401, L3520 & L4802 Side by Side

Video: Kubota Narrow Tractors Compared | B2401, L3520 & L4802 Side by Side


Kubota is one of the only manufacturers in the U.S. market offering a purpose-built lineup of narrow specialty tractors, and all three models are worth understanding before choosing one for a tight-row application. The B2401 comes in just over 35 inches wide at 24 horsepower, making it the entry point for nurseries, greenhouses, and Christmas tree farms where row width is the primary buying criteria. The L3520 steps up to 35 horsepower and 39 inches wide, bringing a fully synchronized transmission exclusive to this model, a more refined operator platform, and significantly more three-point hitch capacity at roughly double the price. The L4802 tops the lineup at 48 horsepower and 53 inches wide but uses a non-synchronized transmission and comes in $300 less than the L3520, making the mid-range machine the most compelling option for many buyers who can work within its capacity limits.