Long time supporter of Ohio agriculture and friend of the Ohio AgriBusiness Association (OABA) John Stevenson has been named Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director for Ohio.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Chuck Conner stated "John has served as a visionary leader of agriculture throughout his life. I'm confident that he will be a tremendous asset to farmers and ranchers and the Bush Administration in this role. He brings a wealth of knowledge and commitment to once again assist the producers of Ohio."

Stevenson succeeds Larry Adams, who was appointed FSA Assistant Deputy Administrator for farm programs earlier this year. Stevenson, who has previously served as Ohio's State Executive Director, graduated from The Ohio State University with a bachelor's degree in animal science and served as a fighter pilot in the United States Air Force before returning home to his family farm. He founded the Ohio Corn Growers Association and served as its first president before becoming president of the National Corn Growers Association in St. Louis. In 1980 he built and operated Ohio's first commercial ethanol plant.

Stevenson has also served as a special assistant on agriculture to Ohio Congressman John Boehner and state agricultural liaison for U.S. Senator George Voinovich.