WASHINGTON, May 6, 2005 - Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced the appointment of Mark E. Reisinger as the Iowa State Director for USDA Rural Development.

"Mark Reisinger has developed an impressive record of service in his advocacy for agriculture and rural issues," said Johanns. "The Bush Administration is pleased to have such a strong advocate for rural America working to enhance the economic opportunities and quality of life of rural Iowa."

Reisinger, from Eldora, Iowa, currently serves as Chief Agricultural Policy Advisor for U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa. He has served in this capacity since 1998. During this time, he has developed and managed numerous legislative proposals related to agriculture, rural development, and renewable energy before the Agriculture, Judiciary, Budget and Finance Committees.

Reisinger also served as legal counsel to U.S. Representative Greg Ganske during 1997 and 1998. Prior to joining Congressman Ganske's staff, Reisinger worked as an Agriculture Standing Committee intern in 1997 for the Iowa House of Representatives 77th General Assembly, research analyst in 1996 for the National Pork Producers' Council Environmental Law Educational Network, and in 1995 as a law clerk for the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee.

Reisinger holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Iowa State University and Juris Doctor from Drake University Law School, where he served as the Editor-In-Chief for the Drake Journal of Agricultural Law.

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. As a venture capital entity, Rural Development has invested over $50 billion since the beginning of the Bush Administration to provide equity and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development, and critical community and technology infrastructure. As a result, over 800,000 jobs have been created or saved through these investments. Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA's web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov.