Chad Padgett - Working Tirelessly On The Signficant Needs and Opportunities Of Alaska
http://www.globalfoodcollaborative.com/articles/148/1/Chad-Padgett---Working-Tirelessly-On-The-Signficant-Needs-and-Opportunities-Of-Alaska/Page1.html
Collaborative INSIGHTS
By Collaborative INSIGHTS
Published on 24 June 2008
I had the pleasure of meeting Chad Padgett, Alaska Executive Director of the Farm Service Agency a few years ago. I was curious what the FSA's role was in the supply chain of food in Alaska. Chad patiently explained and it was apparent that FSA's role was significant. However, what I remember most about the meeting was the absolutely clear vision that Chad shared with me about FSA's role in the future of Alaska. While interviews often are enlightening about a product, service or company, it is rare that someone reveals a well thought out, researched and strategic plan for reaching such a magnanimous vision. I was sitting on the edge of my chair to listen to every word, because this was the essence of Global Food Collaborative - to support an environment for sustainable businesses in food, beverage and bio-products.
Shortly after that interview, Chad was appointed as Acting State Director of the USDA Rural Development, in addition to continuing his role at FSA. This appointment gave him yet more resources to see his vision realized. Over the past 3 years, Chad has continued to quietly and humbly carry forward a strategic plan - one building block at a time. Having a prominent role in Alaska representing a major federal agency, Chad could have easily decided to fulfill his positions in a status quo manner - he did not. He has worked tirelessly, repositioning both agencies to best fit what he believes to be significant need and opportunity for Alaska.
Maybe it is from his roots of growing up on a farm or living in rural Alaska that he understands what needs to be done and has a sense of urgency about it. For whatever reason, I believe Alaska is fortunate to be represented with a State Director that uses every day to reach his vision of sustainable and healthy businesses and economies.
As a result of these agencies responsibilities, Chad Padgett's positions require interaction with Alaska’s sprawling and diverse agriculture
sector. At both FSA and Rural Development he is responsible for millions of dollars in
rural economic activity each year; not just farm loans, but rural
housing, business and infrastructure funding and the provision of
millions of dollars in public safety funds. “If you ride in an
ambulance in rural Alaska, there’s a pretty good chance your ride is
courtesy of USDA through Rural Development and our funding partners,”
said Padgett. USDA is also working with hospitals and clinics to
provide new equipment to better serve rural residents. Additionally, he works with farmers to provide safe, affordable housing to seasonal
workers through USDA’s Farm Labor Housing Program. Chad has also worked to provide funding to Alaska’s commercial
fishing industry through USDA disaster assistance programs.
This month, Chad Padgett and FSA Administrator Teresa Lasseter (Washington D.C.), presented a ceremonial check for $4.5 million to the owners of a new Mat-Su Valley sports facility, highlighting a loan guaranteed by Rural Development through a local lender. This is a shared use facility for athletics that is absolutely packed by area families and youth seeking an indoor environment that can serve as a community hub for health and fitness. “We make it easier for a lender to say ‘yes’ to a deal by shouldering some of the responsibility in the unlikely event that a borrower can’t make payments,” Padgett said. Rural Development programs are available across all of Alaska except the Municipality of Anchorage, the City of Fairbanks and the City and Borough of Juneau. “We can provide business loan guarantees in Juneau, but not our other programs, and all of our programs are unavailable in Fairbanks and Anchorage because of population size,” said Padgett.
During Lasseter’s recent visit, the Administrator, Padgett, U.S. Senator Ted Stevens, Alaska Congressman Don Young and other dignitaries were among those who attended a ribbon cutting ceremony, opening a new creamery near Palmer. The creamery, which replaced a larger, state owned facility is the sole processing plant available to Mat-Su dairy farmers. “Without this new creamery, the Alaska dairy industry might have passed into history, and with it many of the agriculture-related jobs it supports,” Padgett said. Working with the Congressional Delegation, Padgett, through USDA, provided $1 million in FSA assistance to the dairy farmers and over $600,000 for the creamery through Rural Development. “Congress came through with the money. We just used it do the right thing for the farmers and the Alaskans they support,” said Padgett. The funds for Matanuska Creamery and the dairy farmers have enabled the successful establishment of a working micro-plant, focused on fresh, all Alaskan dairy products - already filling a gap to south-central retailers and consumers.
The biggest challenge facing the state and USDA right now, Padgett says, is the increase in fuel prices. “I was told by one of our employees in Nome that when the spring barge arrived, gasoline prices went up by over $2 a gallon and now are above $6 a gallon. That really takes a bite out of economic development. Rural grocery prices are among the highest in the nation, and its all due to transportation costs.” Padgett says Rural Development is doing everything it can to encourage development of alternate fuel sources, including the announcement last month of $11 million in funds for rural Alaska that will fund eight projects ranging from a new hydro project for Tok to a wind turbine to serve a Native village in Western Alaska, and new lines to connect families to the power grid on Prince of Wales Island in Southeast Alaska.
Padgett also expressed hope that some of the new Farm Bill’s provisions will be of particular help to Alaska’s farmers. “There’s a provision to provide transportation funding to disadvantaged producers, also a language change that allows us to work with the State to provide broadband funding to more rural communities,” he said.
Whatever the future holds, Padgett and USDA are ready to meet the challenge. No stranger to rural areas, Padgett spent his childhood on a small farm in Idaho, moved to the Native community of Metlakatla in Southeast Alaska and later graduated from high school in Seward. A graduate of Boise State University, he holds a BA in political science. A former deputy district director for Alaska Congressman Young, Padgett has a strong affinity for the conditions faced by rural residents of Alaska. “We provide basic services to enable the people of this state to survive and thrive,” said Padgett. “Whether it’s a new well, septic system, home repair, a business loan guarantee, police cars or fire suppression equipment, even a hospital or a library, if there’s a way to make it work, we’re there.” Chad is the father of four, husband, with a large extended family while holding down both positions at USDA Rural Development and the Farm Service Agency. He is the only USDA presidential appointee to hold both jobs simultaneously. How does he do it? “I don’t sleep,” said Padgett. “Sleep is overrated.”
He says it’s all part of the job. “As a presidential appointee I look at my role differently,” said Padgett. “While I would like to continue in government service under the next president, nothing is assured. Because of that I need to achieve the Administration’s goals by working every minute I can. Every day is an opportunity to serve the people of Alaska.”
USDA Rural Development has its State Office in Palmer with Area Offices in Sitka, Kenai, Fairbanks, Dillingham, Bethel and Nome. Further information on rural programs is available at any of these USDA Rural Development offices or by visiting their web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/ak/.
Chad Padgett
Acting Director, Rural Development
Executive Director, Farm Service Agency
Office Phone Number (907) 761-7705.
I had the pleasure of meeting Chad Padgett, Alaska Executive Director of the Farm Service Agency a few years ago. I was curious what the FSA's role was in the supply chain of food in Alaska. Chad patiently explained and it was apparent that FSA's role was significant. However, what I remember most about the meeting was the absolutely clear vision that Chad shared with me about FSA's role in the future of Alaska. While interviews often are enlightening about a product, service or company, it is rare that someone reveals a well thought out, researched and strategic plan for reaching such a magnanimous vision. I was sitting on the edge of my chair to listen to every word, because this was the essence of Global Food Collaborative - to support an environment for sustainable businesses in food, beverage and bio-products. Shortly after that interview, Chad was appointed as Acting State Director of the USDA Rural Development, in addition to continuing his role at FSA. This appointment gave him yet more resources to see his vision realized. Over the past 3 years, Chad has continued to quietly and humbly carry forward a strategic plan - one building block at a time. Having a prominent role in Alaska representing a major federal agency, Chad could have easily decided to fulfill his positions in a status quo manner - he did not. He has worked tirelessly, repositioning both agencies to best fit what he believes to be significant need and opportunity for Alaska.
Maybe it is from his roots of growing up on a farm or living in rural Alaska that he understands what needs to be done and has a sense of urgency about it. For whatever reason, I believe Alaska is fortunate to be represented with a State Director that uses every day to reach his vision of sustainable and healthy businesses and economies.
Acting Director of Rural Development and Executive Director, Farm Service Agency
A little about FSA and Rural Development: Both agencies fall within the United States Department of Agriculture.
The Farm Service Agency (FSA) administers and manages farm commodity, credit, conservation, disaster and loan programs as laid out by Congress through a network of federal, state and county offices. These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of the agricultural industry and to help farmers adjust production to meet demand. Economically, the desired result of these programs is a steady price range for agricultural commodities for both farmers and consumers.
The Farm Service Agency (FSA) administers and manages farm commodity, credit, conservation, disaster and loan programs as laid out by Congress through a network of federal, state and county offices. These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of the agricultural industry and to help farmers adjust production to meet demand. Economically, the desired result of these programs is a steady price range for agricultural commodities for both farmers and consumers.
USDA Rural Development is charged with helping improve the economy and quality of life in all of rural America. Through their programs, they touch rural America in many ways. Their financial programs support such essential public facilities and services as water and sewer systems, housing, health clinics, emergency service facilities and electric and telephone service. They promote economic development by supporting loans to businesses through banks and community-managed lending pools. They also offer technical assistance and information to help agricultural and other cooperatives get started and improve the effectiveness of their member services and help communities undertake community empowerment programs. Rural Development achieves its mission by helping rural individuals, communities and businesses obtain the financial and technical assistance needed to address their diverse and unique needs. Rural Development works to make sure that rural citizens can participate fully in the global economy.
Continued (Chad Padgett)
This month, Chad Padgett and FSA Administrator Teresa Lasseter (Washington D.C.), presented a ceremonial check for $4.5 million to the owners of a new Mat-Su Valley sports facility, highlighting a loan guaranteed by Rural Development through a local lender. This is a shared use facility for athletics that is absolutely packed by area families and youth seeking an indoor environment that can serve as a community hub for health and fitness. “We make it easier for a lender to say ‘yes’ to a deal by shouldering some of the responsibility in the unlikely event that a borrower can’t make payments,” Padgett said. Rural Development programs are available across all of Alaska except the Municipality of Anchorage, the City of Fairbanks and the City and Borough of Juneau. “We can provide business loan guarantees in Juneau, but not our other programs, and all of our programs are unavailable in Fairbanks and Anchorage because of population size,” said Padgett.
During Lasseter’s recent visit, the Administrator, Padgett, U.S. Senator Ted Stevens, Alaska Congressman Don Young and other dignitaries were among those who attended a ribbon cutting ceremony, opening a new creamery near Palmer. The creamery, which replaced a larger, state owned facility is the sole processing plant available to Mat-Su dairy farmers. “Without this new creamery, the Alaska dairy industry might have passed into history, and with it many of the agriculture-related jobs it supports,” Padgett said. Working with the Congressional Delegation, Padgett, through USDA, provided $1 million in FSA assistance to the dairy farmers and over $600,000 for the creamery through Rural Development. “Congress came through with the money. We just used it do the right thing for the farmers and the Alaskans they support,” said Padgett. The funds for Matanuska Creamery and the dairy farmers have enabled the successful establishment of a working micro-plant, focused on fresh, all Alaskan dairy products - already filling a gap to south-central retailers and consumers.
The biggest challenge facing the state and USDA right now, Padgett says, is the increase in fuel prices. “I was told by one of our employees in Nome that when the spring barge arrived, gasoline prices went up by over $2 a gallon and now are above $6 a gallon. That really takes a bite out of economic development. Rural grocery prices are among the highest in the nation, and its all due to transportation costs.” Padgett says Rural Development is doing everything it can to encourage development of alternate fuel sources, including the announcement last month of $11 million in funds for rural Alaska that will fund eight projects ranging from a new hydro project for Tok to a wind turbine to serve a Native village in Western Alaska, and new lines to connect families to the power grid on Prince of Wales Island in Southeast Alaska.
Padgett also expressed hope that some of the new Farm Bill’s provisions will be of particular help to Alaska’s farmers. “There’s a provision to provide transportation funding to disadvantaged producers, also a language change that allows us to work with the State to provide broadband funding to more rural communities,” he said.
Whatever the future holds, Padgett and USDA are ready to meet the challenge. No stranger to rural areas, Padgett spent his childhood on a small farm in Idaho, moved to the Native community of Metlakatla in Southeast Alaska and later graduated from high school in Seward. A graduate of Boise State University, he holds a BA in political science. A former deputy district director for Alaska Congressman Young, Padgett has a strong affinity for the conditions faced by rural residents of Alaska. “We provide basic services to enable the people of this state to survive and thrive,” said Padgett. “Whether it’s a new well, septic system, home repair, a business loan guarantee, police cars or fire suppression equipment, even a hospital or a library, if there’s a way to make it work, we’re there.” Chad is the father of four, husband, with a large extended family while holding down both positions at USDA Rural Development and the Farm Service Agency. He is the only USDA presidential appointee to hold both jobs simultaneously. How does he do it? “I don’t sleep,” said Padgett. “Sleep is overrated.”
He says it’s all part of the job. “As a presidential appointee I look at my role differently,” said Padgett. “While I would like to continue in government service under the next president, nothing is assured. Because of that I need to achieve the Administration’s goals by working every minute I can. Every day is an opportunity to serve the people of Alaska.”
USDA Rural Development has its State Office in Palmer with Area Offices in Sitka, Kenai, Fairbanks, Dillingham, Bethel and Nome. Further information on rural programs is available at any of these USDA Rural Development offices or by visiting their web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/ak/.
Chad Padgett
Acting Director, Rural Development
Executive Director, Farm Service Agency
Office Phone Number (907) 761-7705.