Secretary of Agriculture, Sonny Perdue, named Matthew J. Lohr as the next chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service on December 3. Lohr was raised on a farm in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley and continues to operate the family’s poultry, beef, crop and sweet corn farm. He served in the Virginia House of Delegates from 2006 to 2010 and then as the state’s Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services until 2013 before joining Farm Credit of the Virginias as Knowledge Center Director and farming full time immediately prior to his selection.

“Matt has committed his entire life to the betterment of agriculture,” Perdue said. “The knowledge and experience he brings to the table will help ensure our locally-led, science-based approach continues to offer farmers the conservation solutions needed to enhance their environment and commercial viability.”

“I am honored and humbled to serve America’s agricultural industry in this new capacity,” Lohr said. “As a 5th generation farmer, I care deeply about conserving and protecting our most valuable agricultural resources. I look forward to the chance to lead this valuable agency and assist our producers nationwide with their conservation practices.”