Marshall man receives 2nd appointment to USDA

An area resident and former state legislator has received a federal appointment for the second time. President Donald Trump has selected David Branscum of Marshall as the Arkansas rural development director for the United States Department of Agriculture.

This will be Branscum’s second appointment to the position. He had previously served as the state’s rural development director during President Trump’s first term. U.S. Sen. John Boozman says Branscum will be responsible for overseeing USDA investments, programs and personnel working to improve the lives of rural Arkansans.

Branscum, described as a third-generation cattle rancher and a member of the Searcy County Cattlemen’s Association, had most recently served as the Arkansas Department of Education’s director of governmental affairs. He was a state representative from 2011 until he resigned in November 2017 due to his first USDA appointment.

Branscum has a degree in agricultural economics from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.

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