Davids Announces New Kansas Rural Development State Director

Today, Representative Sharice Davids announced President Biden appointed Christy Davis as the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for Kansas. Davis, a fifth-generation Kansan, will help create jobs, foster economic development, and support essential services in rural Kansas. Davids is thenewest member of the House Agricultural Committee which oversees USDA and has jurisdiction over all aspects of agriculture, forestry, nutrition, water conservation, and other agriculture-related fields.

"Our USDA Rural Development State Director is a key leader in delivering programs that improve the economy, support agricultural jobs and infrastructure, and provide essential services for our rural communities," said Davids. "Today's appointment of Christy Davis as Kansas' Rural Development State Director ensures our state's farmers, ranchers, and partners have the support needed to continue their world-class agricultural outputs. I look forward to working with Ms. Davis as we continue our work serving rural Kansans."

"At Kansas Farm Bureau we know how essential it is to have prosperous rural communities to support farmers and ranchers," said Rich Felts, President of Kansas Farm Bureau. "I'm excited to work with Christy Davis to continue the important work USDA Rural Development supports like expanding broadband, increasing access to health care and growing the economy."

Davis has served as Legislative Chair for the Kansas Downtown Development Association and on the boards of the Chase County Chamber of Commerce, Council Grove/Morris County Hospital Foundation, Preservation Action, and National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers. After serving as a local and state government executive and developing a private consulting business, Davis worked as Executive Director of Symphony in the Flint Hills.

As State Director, Davis will serve as the chief executive officer of rural development in Kansas. In conjunction with the guidance and support of the national USDA office, Davis will be responsible for promoting the mission and strategic goals of USDA in Kansas' rural communities and will provide key leadership to develop and support a productive, diverse, and inclusive state workforce.