This entry was posted on Wednesday, May 26th, 2010 at 1:55pm and is filed under Media and information, Food Production. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Back when President Obama got elected, he promised to include Washington outsiders in his new administration. In that vein, anyone could go to the change.gov website and submit a resume to be “considered for a position in the Obama-Biden administration”. I, along with a number of members of my church community, did so. None of us really thought we were likely to be contacted, but the whole idea was still kind of cool.
In August of 2009, while I was selling our ranch’s beef at the Georgetown Farmer’s Market, I got a call from the White House personnell office asking if I’d be interested in following up on my application. Once they convinced me they were for real, and that the position wouldn’t require me to leave my beloved Texas, I embarked on an 9-month process of interviews, FBI background checks, paperwork and more paperwork. In the end, I became one of three Presidential nominees for the board of directors of the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation, fondly known as “Farmer Mac“. Tomorrow, I am scheduled to appear before the Senate Ag Committee to be confirmed.
Farmer Mac is the ag equivalent of the better known Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. It is a publicly held (i.e. for profit) institution created by government mandate to help make loans available to rural america. Of the 15 directors, 5 are appointed by the President. The job of the Presidential appointees, as representatives of rural America, is to help make sure that Farmer Mac meets its mission.
I’ve been in Washington all week. At 45 years old, I can safely say I am no longer a wide-eyed innocent, full of idealistic dreams. However, my week here has made me excited to begin this new adventure. It is encouraging that a small rancher, not to mention one who makes much of her living through farmer’s markets, would be chosen for this position. These are interesting times for agriculture and for our economy. The status quo is being examined and many new ideas are being thrown into the mix. I look forward to listening, learning and doing my small part create solutions.
May 26th, 2010 at 6:11pm
Way to go, Sara!
May 27th, 2010 at 9:04am
I am so proud of you
May 27th, 2010 at 4:09pm
Congratulations.
In case you need advice on where to eat in the DC area when you come for board meetings, Tyler Cowen (Marginal Revolution) has a guide to ethnic restaurants in the area. http://www.gmu.edu/centers/publicchoice/faculty%20pages/Tyler/ethnicguide2010.htm
May 28th, 2010 at 1:41pm
Sara, this was a great post. I had read about your new post but had no idea how it came about. How terrific to be involved — you go girl! Best wishes, Lisa
May 29th, 2010 at 8:05pm
Thanks for the link, Bill. I’m certain it will come in handy, as I’ll be there at least every other month.
May 29th, 2010 at 8:06pm
Lisa: Nice to hear from you again. If you ever miss us, and want to guest post, let me know!
June 2nd, 2010 at 2:17pm
Sara - We’re so proud of you and your journey. I remember when you were first contacted, and it’s amazing and encouraging that the administration would see in you the perfect person to move Farmer Mac’s vision forward. I can’t wait to hear more!!