John W. McCauley of Lexington has been named the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s (KDA’s) new director of agriculture policy, Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles has announced.
“John has vast experience in developing and executing agriculture policy at the federal and state levels,” Commissioner Quarles said. “He also has served as a division director in the department. His knowledge and experience make him an excellent fit for this position.”
McCauley previously served as Kentucky executive director of the Farm Service Agency in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). In that role, McCauley was responsible for the oversight of federal commodity, conservation, disaster assistance, and farm loan and credit programs in Kentucky.
McCauley was chairman of the USDA State Emergency Board and past chairman of the USDA State Food & Agriculture Council. He served as the first USDA Strikeforce Lead in the Commonwealth.
McCauley served as director of the KDA’s Division of Pesticide Regulation during the administration of former state Agriculture Commissioner Billy Ray Smith. He has served in other positions in state government and as a special assistant to former U.S. Sen. Walter D. Huddleston.
Before taking the reins of the Kentucky FSA office, McCauley worked for the BASF Corporation, Agricultural & Specialty Products Division. He is a past chairman of the Southern Crop Production State Affairs Committee and a past national president of the Association of Structural Pest Control Regulatory Officials. McCauley served on the CropLife America State Affairs Committee and the RISE Issues Committee.
