Hanford farmer and water expert appointed to state agency by Trump administration

Aubrey Bettencourt of Hanford has been appointed by the Trump Administration to be the state executive director for the United States Department of Agriculture’s California Farm Service Agency.

Bettencourt, who joined the state FSA team on Monday, is well known in agricultural circles, locally and statewide. She most recently held the position of executive director of the Hanford-based California Water Alliance, a position she’d held since 2010.

Along with an expertise in water policy, Bettencourt is a third-generation farmer who oversees the business operations of Bettencourt Farming in Hanford. She also is an occasional co-host on various programs with News Talk 580KMJ.

As the state executive director, Bettencourt will oversee several programs for farmers and ranchers that provide a strong safety net through farm commodity and disaster programs.

This story was originally published November 16, 2017 at 2:44 PM with the headline "Hanford farmer and water expert appointed to state agency by Trump administration."