Tony Gudajtes of Choice Bank, Oshkosh, Wis., has begun his two-year term on the USDA Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Advisory Committee.
Advising on policies and programs related to novice ranchers and farmers across the United States, the executive vice president and ag market president will join the twenty-member committee at his first advisory meeting in Washington, D.C., at the end of the month.
Gudajtes will advise the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue during his reign, and work to enhance ag worker opportunities, including access to land and capital, farmer farmer and rancher recruitment and retention and relief from labor and tax obstacles.
After working with the farming community for more than 20 years, the ag banker is honored to be chosen for the position. “I’m looking forward to bringing my experience to the table,” Gudajtes said. “I am hopeful that my work with the USDA will have a positive reaching impact on beginning farmers and ranchers across our country.”
The committee also represents state beginning farming programs, the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, educational institutions for ag training, and programs that work to build and grow the foundation of U.S. agriculture.
Previously, Gudajes was a loan advisor for rural market communities with a broad background in agribusiness banking and crop insurance before he joined the $400 million Choice Bank in 2011.