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DES MOINES, IOWA (AP) -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture has filled two appointments in Iowa.

The department said Hillsboro state representative and farmer John Whitaker has been appointed to direct the USDA's Farm Service Agency in Iowa and nonprofit executive and former radio reporter William Menner will be in charge of the federal Rural Development agency in the state.

Whitaker will oversee farm subsidies, among other responsibilities, in Iowa. Menner has served in the nonprofit sector since 2001. His agency is in charge of managing housing, business and community infrastructure programs in rural areas.

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