Rep. Andrus takes USDA position
District 35A Representative Kevin Andrus (Lava Hot Springs) announced through his media pages, in tandem with a release from the USDA, that he has been appointed to a position within the Trump Administration’s USDA.
According to those releases, Representative Kevin Andrus has been appointed as State Executive Director for the Farm Service Agency in Idaho. He previously served in the Idaho House of Representatives, where he chaired the House Agriculture Committee. Kevin has hands-on experience in agricultural production, including raising cattle and horses, and has also worked as a loan officer for Ireland Bank.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins’ office made the announcement as part of a large slate of presidential appointments for key positions at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) including the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Rural Development (RD).
“President Trump is putting Farmers First, and so is the incredible team we are building at the Department of Agriculture. Our latest additions to the USDA family are personally invested in ensuring farmers and rural America prosper. I look forward to seeing the work they will do supporting farmers, ranchers, and producers across the country by implementing President Trump’s America First policies,” said Secretary Rollins in a press release issued last week.
The release states that “FNS is focused on expanding access to healthy foods grown and raised by American farmers. FSA State Directors help implement President Trump’s America First agenda and execute USDA’s policies in planning, organizing, and administering FSA programs through state offices across the country. RD State Directors help affirm the mission of the Trump Administration by focusing on finding ways to empower rural America and unleash economic prosperity.”
Andrus had previously planned to run for the seat again in 2026, but the vacancy will now be filled by appointment through the party until a special election can be called, according to sources familiar with the process.
