Dr. Glenda Humiston has been appointed head of California's office of the US Department of Agriculture Rural Development. Courtesy photo.

DAVIS – Dr. Glenda Humiston has been appointed state director of US Department of Agriculture Rural Development in California.

Humiston, appointed by USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, will be located in the Davis state office.

“Glenda will be an important advocate on behalf of rural communities in California and help administer the valuable programs and services provided by the USDA that can enhance their economic success,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

Humiston has spent over 25 years working on public policy development and program implementation that supports sustainability.

She served from 1998 – 2001 as Deputy Under Secretary for Natural Resources and the Environment at USDA. While there she received national honor awards from USDA and EPA as well as two “Hammer” Awards from Vice President Gore for outstanding government programs.

“I am excited to return to USDA and look forward to working with the great team at Rural Development,” said Humiston. “Many of our rural communities are struggling during these economic times, but at Rural Development we have the resources available to help families, businesses and communities succeed and thrive. I am proud to help lead this charge.”

Humiston resides in Novato with her wife, Grace Flannery.

She holds a bachelor of science from Colorado State University in animal science and a master’s degree from the University of California at Davis in International Agricultural Development.

She has also completed professional certification in environmental and land use planning and a two-year fellowship with the California Agricultural Leadership program.

Most recently, Humiston completed her Ph.D. at the University of California at Berkeley, within the Division of Society and Environment. Her research and dissertation, “Sustainable Agriculture as U.S. Farm Policy: Opportunities and Threats to Reform” was funded by a prestigious EPA STAR Fellowship and graduate fellowships from U.C. Berkeley’s College of Natural Resources.

USDA Rural Development's mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for rural residents. Rural Development fosters growth in homeownership, finances business development, and supports creation of critical community and technology infrastructure.

Further information on rural programs is available at one of California’s 18 local USDA Rural Development offices or by visiting http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/ca .