Former USDA Foreign Agricultural Service Administrator to Lead Policy at WFP USA
Agricultural policy expert Phil Karsting joins humanitarian nonprofit’s senior leadership team.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – World Food Program USA (WFP USA) has named former U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) Administrator Phil Karsting as its new Vice President of Policy.
Through public policy advocacy and fundraising, WFP USA supports the mission of United Nations World Food Programme, the world’s leading humanitarian agency dedicated to ending global hunger. Karsting joins an accomplished leadership team and will work with an expert roster of board members at the organization, including former Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman, former Sen. Bob Dole, and former Sen. Thomas Daschle.
“We are pleased to have Phil join us in our mission to solve global hunger,” Richard Leach, President and CEO of WFP USA, said of today’s announcement. “Phil’s deep knowledge of agricultural policy and government affairs will be a tremendous asset as we continue our work to ensure the right U.S. policies, programs and government commitment to eradicating hunger and promoting global food security are in place.”
At the Department of Agriculture, Karsting led efforts to build support for global agricultural trade and promote U.S. exports. The agency he led also partners extensively with non-government organizations to establish school feeding programs in developing countries through the McGovern-Dole Food for Education program.
“Growing up in rural Nebraska and helping my family’s farm supply business sparked my passion early in life for American agriculture and food policy,” Karsting said. “I’m thrilled to bring my 25 years of experience to WFP USA and help continue our nation’s enduring humanitarian legacy of feeding families in need around the world.”
Prior to joining FAS, Karsting served in several key positions on Capitol Hill, including Chief of Staff to Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI), then Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development and Related Agencies and Legislative Assistant to Senator Jim Exon (D-NE) on agriculture and natural resource matters. Karsting also served as Senior Analyst for the Senate Budget Committee where he handled issues relating to agriculture, rural development, housing, telecommunications, energy and the environment. He received a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He is also a graduate of the French Culinary Institute in New York.
About World Food Program USA
World Food Program USA is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that proudly supports the mission of the United Nations World Food Programme, the leading humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. By mobilizing individuals, lawmakers and businesses in the U.S. to advance the global movement to end hunger, we bolster an enduring American legacy of feeding families in need around the world.
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