W.R. “Cody” Simpson III, a Manning native and fifth-generation South Carolina farmer, has been appointed State Executive Director for the Farm Service Agency (FSA) in South Carolina, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced.
Simpson, who helps operate W.R. Simpson Farms, LLC with his family, was appointed by President Donald J. Trump and will oversee the implementation of USDA FSA programs across the state, including disaster assistance, conservation efforts, and loan programs that support agricultural producers.
“I am deeply honored to be asked by President Donald J. Trump to serve as the State Executive Director for the Farm Service Agency of South Carolina,” Simpson said in a public statement. “As a fifth-generation South Carolina family farmer, I understand firsthand the opportunities and challenges facing our agricultural community.”
Simpson, a graduate of Francis Marion University, pledged to work “tirelessly to support the needs of our state’s farmers and foresters, strengthen our agribusiness industry, and ensure the prosperity of rural communities across South Carolina.”
He previously served as Chief Executive Assistant and Agriculture Advisor to Governor Henry McMaster and is a member of the National Governors Association’s Land Management, Agriculture, Wildlife, and Rural Communities Advisory Network, as well as the South Carolina Forest Recovery Task Force. He also serves as a major in the South Carolina State Guard.
“Congratulations to my agriculture advisor Cody Simpson on being appointed State Executive Director for the SC Farm Service Agency,” McMaster said in a social media post. “A 5th-generation farmer, Cody’s deep roots within our agriculture community and passion for rural SC will serve our farmers and foresters well.”
Simpson also thanked Senators Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott, House Speaker Murrell Smith, and South Carolina Farm Bureau Federation President Harry Ott for their support and encouragement.
