INDIANAPOLIS ‒ Jerry Raynor was named Indiana’s state conservationist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service, part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Raynor will oversee 80 local service centers, four area offices, and eight conservation delivery teams across the state and more than 200 employees who work directly with farmers and landowners.

Raynor is a native of North Carolina and has spent a majority of his 26-year career as part of the conservation partnership there. He began his career with NRCS as a student trainee and he spent most of his early years in field and area office conservationist positions.

“I am honored to be the new state conservationist in Indiana,” said Raynor.  “I look forward to meeting and working with our customers, partners and staff in this position to learn about the many great things Indiana is already doing to help conserve natural resources and to continue to move the state forward in agricultural conservation.”

Bruce Kettler, director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, welcomed Raynor’s appointment.

“Jerry brings more than 25 years of experience as a leader in this field, and I look forward to working with him to conserve and improve our state’s critical natural resources,” Kettler said.

Raynor was raised on a farm in Sampson County, North Carolina by his parents, Louis and Katie. He attended North Carolina State University – College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and graduated with a degree in agriculture business management. 

Raynor also is a graduate of George Washington University’s Emerging Leadership Development Program, a two-year program hosted in partnership with NRCS.