Anne Hazlett to Head Rural Development at Department of Agriculture

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue on Monday announced Anne Hazlett will lead the Rural Development agencies at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Hazlett’s title will be assistant to the secretary for Rural Development, a new position created in keeping with Secretary Perdue’s announcement to reorganize USDA and elevate Rural Development.

As assistant to the secretary for Rural Development, Hazlett will oversee the Rural Housing Service, the Rural Utilities Service, and the Rural Business Service and will report directly to the secretary. Prior to the reorganization, Rural Development was under the purview of the under secretary of agriculture for Rural Development, who in turn reported to the deputy secretary of agriculture.

Most recently, Hazlett served as republican chief counsel for the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry. In this role, she served as advisor on many issues impacting rural America, ranging from farm bill programs to broadband and child nutrition. She also served as legal counsel for House Agriculture committees during the development of the 2002 and 2008 farm bills.

Prior to her time in Congress, she served as the director of agriculture in Indiana and as the chief of staff to Indiana Lieutenant Governor Becky Skillman.