HARRISBURG, Pa. — The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced the appointment of five leaders in agriculture to serve on the Pennsylvania USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) state committee.  

Members of the FSA state committee are appointed by Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins and, in support of the Trump Administration’s Farmers First commitment, members of the FSA state committee are responsible for the oversight of farm programs and county committee operations, resolving program delivery appeals from the agriculture community, maintaining cooperative relations with industry stakeholders and keeping producers informed about current FSA programs.  

Each FSA state committee is comprised of three to five members including a designated chairperson. The individuals appointed to serve on this committee for Pennsylvania are: 

• Bonnie L Wenger, chair, of Lebanon has been the office manager of a farm for 30 years that raises crops, corn stover for mushroom companies, broiler chickens, cattle and includes livestock trucking and custom farming services. The operation is currently transitioning to the fourth generation of family operators. 

• Cheryl Ann Fairbairn of Coatesville is the co‑owner and operator of an Angus livestock breeding and hay operation and a retired Penn State Extension educator specializing in beef cattle production and 4-H youth livestock programs.

• M. Abraham Harpster of Spruce Creek is partner and owner of a dairy operation in Huntingdon and Centre counties. The operation produces corn, soybeans, alfalfa, and milks over 3600 cows. Since 1985, Harpster has overseen the daily dairy operations, implementing breeding and nutrition strategies to enhance herd health and milk production.

• Steven L. Hykes of Greencastle is the owner and operator of a forage and row crop operation where he raises replacement dairy heifers as well as contracted hogs and a small beef herd.

• Thomas R. Nagle Jr., of Patton is the owner and operator of a beef and grain farm. He has farmed full-time for 14 years and has served as vice president of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau. 

“These individuals, selected by Secretary Rollins in partnership with key stakeholders in each state, are held in high regard in the agriculture industry and are entrusted to ensure FSA programs are delivered in a manner consistent with federal farm policy and in the best interest of all agricultural producers in their state,” said FSA Administrator Bill Beam. “Their appointment to the FSA state committee is a testament to their standing in the industry and their dedication to the agriculture industry, rural America and President Trump’s America First, Farmers First policies.”