After 37 years of serving West Virginia agricultural producers, Richard “Rick” Snuffer II, state executive director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA), retired effective Jan. 7.

“I have loved every day of my employment working with and assisting West Virginia producers who work hard to feed our state, our country and the world,” said Snuffer.

Snuffer started his career with USDA in 1980 as county office executive officer of Boone and Logan counties. After working as County Executive Director in Raleigh and Wyoming counties, he served as the state automation coordinator for 25 years. He became the state outreach and communications coordinator for FSA in 2009. In 2014, he was appointed by the Obama Administrationto be West Virginia FSA state executive director.

“On behalf of USDA, I want to thank Rick for his dedicated public service and to wish him the very best in his retirement,” Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Michael Scuse said. “Rick has worked tirelessly for all West Virginia farmers and ranchers as State Executive Director of USDA Farm Service Agency.”

Michael Taylor, district director for Eastern West Virginia, will be acting state executive director until the appointment is made to that position.