The U.S. Senate has confirmed Glen R. Smith of Atlantic, Iowa, as Under Secretary for Rural Development at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), placing him in charge of a portfolio that supports housing, utilities, infrastructure, businesses, and essential services across rural America. The Senate approved his nomination on August 7 by a 51–47 vote.
Smith brings more than four decades of experience in agriculture, rural business, and agricultural lending. He is a lifelong Iowa farmer and previously served as chairman of the Farm Credit Administration, giving him experience with the financial systems that support farmers, ranchers, and rural businesses.
In his new role, Smith will oversee USDA Rural Development programmes covering three major areas: the Rural Utilities Service, Rural Housing Service, and Rural Business-Cooperative Service. These programmes provide loans, grants, and loan guarantees supporting rural housing, water and waste infrastructure, electricity, broadband connectivity, community facilities, and rural businesses.
The appointment comes as rural communities across the United States face continued challenges around infrastructure, access to healthcare and essential services, broadband connectivity, housing, and economic opportunity. During his confirmation process, Smith highlighted the potential for Rural Development to expand access to internet infrastructure, drawing a parallel with the agency's historic role in bringing electricity to rural America.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins welcomed the confirmation, saying Smith's experience as a producer and business owner gives him firsthand knowledge of the needs of rural communities. Smith said he intends to work with communities across the country to strengthen the infrastructure and opportunities available to rural Americans.
For the agricultural sector, the appointment could have implications beyond farming itself. Rural infrastructure—from electricity and broadband to transportation, housing, water systems, and access to financing—plays a critical role in determining whether farmers and rural businesses can adopt new technologies, expand operations, access markets, and remain economically viable.
Smith's tenure will therefore place USDA Rural Development at an important intersection between agriculture, rural infrastructure, technology, finance, and community development, to with the effectiveness of its programmes likely to influence the resilience and competitiveness of rural economies across the United States.