Cano Named State Executive Director of Texas FSA

  • Cano Named State Executive Director of Texas FSA
    Cano Named State Executive Director of Texas FSA

Last week, President Biden appointed Benancio “Benny” Cano Jr. as the new State Executive Director for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency (FSA).

Cano, Jr., a native of Pharr, Texas in the Rio Grande Valley began his career with FSA in 1994 as a County Operations Trainee. In 1995, he served as the Starr County CED and was named the District Director for the southern area of Texas in 2002.

Cano, Jr received a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics from Texas A&M University Kingsville. He and his wife Sonia are the proud parents of three children.

Plains Cotton Growers, Inc., with Texas Farm Bureau and other regional and state-based commodity organizations, supported Cano’s nomination for the SED position.

“Plains Cotton Growers is pleased to have Mr. Cano at the helm of the Texas Farm Service Agency (FSA),” PCG CEO Kody Bessent said. “Mr. Cano’s experience and service throughout his career advancement in FSA will serve him well in the administration and oversight of FSA programs. We look forward to working with Mr. Cano and the FSA State Committee on current and future farm policy for Texas.”

FSA State Executive Directors oversee Farm Service Agency operations and agricultural policy implementation in the state. Each State Executive Director works with the State Committee to administer FSA programs and County office operations, develops, and maintains stakeholder relationships with customers and other agencies and governments.

Additionally, last month, USDA announced the appointment of Ms. Debra Barrett to serve on the Texas Farm Service Agency State Committee.

Barrett, of Edroy, Texas (San Patricio County), is owner/operator of a family cotton, grain, and livestock operation. She is active in several national, state, and local civic and agricultural organizations including the Cotton Board, the South Texas Cotton and Grain Association, and the San Patricio County Drainage District.

More appointments are expected in the coming months as USDA seats the three to five member FSA state committees for each state. The state committee chairperson will be named when all committee members have been appointed.