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The Mountain Eagle

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Barb Hanselman Appointed to FSA State Committee

By Matthew Avitabile · January 22, 2026 · The Mountain Eagle

SYRACUSE – Barb Hanselman , of Bloomville, was recently appointed to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) state committee.

Hanselman chairs the Delaware County Dairy Promotion Committee, is president of the Delaware County Farm Bureau and has a long history and involvement in educating the public and promoting the importance of the dairy industry.

She said serving on the state FSA committee is the opportunity to make sure farmers are aware of the programs available to them, that they are getting access to the programs available to them, and that they are being served.  “We are there to make sure policy is being followed,” said Hanselman  

“We also bring information to the state relating to weather and disasters, feedback on how programs are helping farmers, or if there are frustrations about programs.  The diversity in the state committee ag backgrounds as well as where they live in the state helps with understanding the different programs within the committee, because different kinds of farming are served by different programs, as well as how weather is affecting the many areas of the state differently”.  

Members of the FSA state committee are appointed by Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins and, in support of the Trump Administration’s Farmers First commitment. Members of the FSA state committee are responsible for the oversight of farm programs and county committee operations, resolving program delivery appeals from the agriculture community, maintaining cooperative relations with industry stakeholders and keeping producers informed about current FSA programs.     

Each FSA state committee is comprised of three to five members including a designated chairperson. The individuals appointed to serve on this committee for New York are:   

  • • Lawrence K. Eckhardt, Chair  (Stephentown) - Eckhardt is owner and manager of a diversified agricultural operation that produces sweet corn, grain corn, hay, small grains, vegetables, and beef cattle. He owns a crop management consulting firm, is a certified crop advisor, and member of the National Alliance of Independent Crop Consultants.  

  • • Ryan Timothy Fessenden, Member  (King Ferry) – Fessenden is a seventh‑ generation farmer and, since 2021, owner and operator of Lake Road Vineyards. He is a 2012 Cornell University graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science and minor in Viticulture and Enology. Fessenden is also a board member for New York State Wine Grape Growers.  

  • • Barbara J. Hanselman, Member  (Bloomville) – Hanselman is owner and manager of a diversified dairy farm that includes a registered Holstein and Brown Swiss dairy herd. The operation also produces hay, row crops, sweet corn, and vegetables. Hanselman is a board member for the American Dairy Association North East and Dairy Management Inc.  

  • • Brenden L. Martin, Member  (Salamanca) – Martin is a fourth-generation dairy farmer who manages a 120-cow operation established in1997. A Cornell University graduate in Agricultural Economics, he is active in local agricultural organizations, including the Cattaraugus County Farm Bureau and Holstein Association.

  • • Joseph P. Shultz, Member  (Lowville) – Shultz is owner and operator of a registered Holstein dairy operation and has served as president and vice president of the Lewis County Farm Bureau.    

“These individuals, selected by Secretary Rollins in partnership with key stakeholders in each state, are held in high regard in the agriculture industry and are entrusted to ensure FSA programs are delivered in a manner consistent with federal farm policy and in the best interest of all agricultural producers in their state,” said FSA Administrator Bill Beam. “Their appointment to the FSA state committee is a testament to their standing in the industry and their dedication to the agriculture industry, rural America and President Trump’s America First, Farmers First policies.”   

FSA helps America’s farmers, ranchers and forest landowners invest in, improve, protect and expand their agricultural operations through the delivery of agricultural programs for all Americans. FSA implements agricultural policy, administers credit and loan programs, and manages conservation, commodity, disaster recovery and marketing programs through a national network of state and county offices and locally elected county committees. For more information, visit fsa.usda.gov.