Trump Administration Appoints Arthur Keyes to Serve as State Executive Director for USDA’s Farm Service Agency in Hawaii

(Washington, D.C., July 27, 2026) - The Trump Administration has appointed Arthur Keyes as the new State Executive Director (SED) for the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Hawaii. Keyes was appointed to serve as SED for Alaska FSA on June 2, 2025, and will now serve as SED for both states.

"FSA State Executive Directors serve in a critical role carrying out USDA's mission at the state level - ensuring that our focus is on meeting the needs of local agricultural producers by putting farmers and ranchers first," said FSA Administrator Bill Beam. "Rural communities need our support now more than ever. Our newly appointed state leader brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his position as SED, and he will play an integral role in shaping the future of agriculture in Hawaii as well as Alaska."

Keyes has a strong background in agriculture. He started farming in 2003 and has grown a wide variety of specialty crops including carrots, strawberries, tomatoes, zucchini and his own brand of onions, Yensis. He is a strong supporter of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) and co-founded a weekly produce delivery business and has forged partnerships with producers and companies to bring agriculture to local farmers markets. He served as the Director of the Alaska Division of Agriculture from 2016 to 2019. While serving as director, he developed the "$5 Alaska Grown Challenge" which helps to drive revenue throughout the state and supports Alaska's farmers. This initiative has been replicated across the country and won the 2018 North American Agricultural Marketing Excellence award. While serving as Acting State Executive Director for Hawaii, Keyes has been on the ground providing leadership and assistance helping staff respond to the historic Kona Low storms that caused devastating damage to agricultural operations.

As SED, Keyes is responsible for overseeing the delivery of FSA programs to agricultural producers in Hawaii and Alaska. These commodity, conservation, credit, and disaster assistance programs ensure a safe, affordable, abundant and nutritious food, fiber, and fuel supply for all Americans.

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.