Colchester, Vt. – Jan. 13, 2026 – The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) today announced the appointment of five leaders in agriculture to serve on the Vermont USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) state committee.   

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 Vermont are:  

• Jacques Couture, Chair (Westfield) – Couture is owner and operator of a family maple operation with 8,000 taps, on‑farm store, mail order business, and lodging. Couture was a dairy farmer before transitioning to raising beef cattle, hay crops, forest products, and maple.
• John Klar, Member (Brookfield) – Klar raises grass‑fed beef and sheep. He has extensive experience in animal husbandry and artisanal cheesemaking. 
• Mark D. Lourie, Member (West Rupert) – Lourie is a former dairy farmer and co‑founder of an farming operation that produces hay and corn. He continues as owner and oversees the farm and cropland through leasing arrangements. Lourie is active in local conservation and community leadership.
• Diane C. McGarry, Member (Enosburg Falls) – McGarry is co‑owner and operator of a dairy operation producing hay and corn. She is a seasonal tax specialist, preparing tax returns and providing accounting services for agricultural businesses.
• August T. Murray, Member (Weathersfield) – Murray operates a small, diversified farm that produces crops and raises livestock. 

“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.