Washington, D.C. —
Senator John Thune today praised Mike Jaspers of Sioux Falls, who is stepping down as South Dakota State Director for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Office of Rural Development. Jaspers was appointed by the President and recommended for the position by Senator Thune.
"Thanks to his strong agricultural background and service in state government Mike has been an outstanding leader this past year as Rural Development Director. I appreciate his service to South Dakota's rural communities and wish him well in the future," said Thune.
Jaspers will return to his farming operation full-time; and according to Thune the process is underway in naming a replacement.
Jaspers runs a 2000-acre corn, soybeans, and cattle operation outside Sioux Falls. Prior to being the South Dakota State Director for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Office of Rural Development, he served three terms in the South Dakota House of Representatives where he was elected as House Majority Whip for four years. He also served one term in the State Senate. He is a graduate of South Dakota State University with a degree in Mechanized Agriculture.
"Thanks to his strong agricultural background and service in state government Mike has been an outstanding leader this past year as Rural Development Director. I appreciate his service to South Dakota's rural communities and wish him well in the future," said Thune.
Jaspers will return to his farming operation full-time; and according to Thune the process is underway in naming a replacement.
Jaspers runs a 2000-acre corn, soybeans, and cattle operation outside Sioux Falls. Prior to being the South Dakota State Director for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Office of Rural Development, he served three terms in the South Dakota House of Representatives where he was elected as House Majority Whip for four years. He also served one term in the State Senate. He is a graduate of South Dakota State University with a degree in Mechanized Agriculture.