DAVIS – Janice Waddell has been named acting state director of US Department of Agriculture Rural Development in California.

Waddell, who has served 13 years as the community programs director in the Davis state office, assumed her duties Jan. 20, succeeding Ben Higgins’ resignation and subsequent move to California Rangeland Trust.

She was named to the post by USDA Rural Development Acting Under Secretary Douglas Falkner.

“We have a great team at USDA Rural Development, and I am proud to lead the effort to serve rural communities in the Golden State until a new successor is appointed,” said Waddell. “Significant progress has been made in fiscal year 2008 and my focus will be to keep that momentum going into 2009.”

Waddell, a 27-year USDA employee, has been the community programs director since 1996. She started her career at USDA as an assistant county supervisor in Georgia in 1982 for the Farmers Home Administration (FmHA). She also served as district loan specialist before assuming the program director position in the California state office.

USDA Rural Development's mission is to deliver programs in a way that will support increasing economic opportunity and improve the quality of life of rural residents by fostering growth in homeownership, business development, and critical community and technology infrastructure.

Further information on rural programs is available at one of California’s 18 local USDA Rural Development offices or by visiting www.rurdev.usda.gov/ca.

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