Farmers in the Roanoke Valley are getting to know new faces with the US Department of Agriculture. Recently, two new employees have joined the Farm Service Agency staff at the USDA Service Center in Bonsack.
The Farm Service Agency, (FSA) carries out the farm level tasks put in place by the US Farm Bill and the USDA. These projects include crop reporting, lending for farm loans, disaster assistance to producers, implementing conservation practices, and providing outreach support to the local farming community. The FSA office in Bonsack serves Botetourt, Craig, and Roanoke County producers.
Louis Novotny, of Roanoke County started in August with FSA as a County Operations Trainee. He is a 2014 graduate of West Virginia University where he completed a double major with Bachelor of Science degrees in Agribusiness Management and Agricultural Education.
Novotny lives in the Back Creek area of Roanoke County, where much of his extended family also reside. He knew from the time he started in college that he wanted to have a career with the USDA where he now brings experience from his prior work as a Vocational Agriculture Teacher.
Novotny has taught a variety of topics including carpentry, welding, farm equipment mechanics, natural resources, conservation, animal science, and enterprise operation start up. In his current position he will be in training for approximately 12 months to learn the skills he will need working for FSA. Once he completes his training, Novotny will be ready to take a position as a County Executive Director for the Farm Service Agency.
“Ever since I was young I always enjoyed being outside and keeping busy with projects,” said Novotny. “I started my own lawn care business when I saw that a few of my neighbors needed to have their grass cut. Little did I know that I would end up working all through school cutting grass and doing outdoor landscaping jobs. In high school I enjoyed taking Vo-Ag courses. I was very interested in learning the Ag. Mechanics skills to weld a broken farm implement, service a hay rake, or troubleshoot a tractor engine problem.”
Novotny also enjoys spending time with his family. He likes to travel throughout the Blue Ridge Mountains and learn about the local history and farms. Hiking around Back Creek and Bent Mountain are one of his favorite hobbies. “My goal is to have a small farm of my own in the coming years. I am really excited for opportunities to work with farmers as I begin my career with the Farm Service Agency.”
The newest employee at the Botetourt/Craig/Roanoke Farm Service Agency as Program Technician is Hayley Wentzel. Hayley lives in Blue Ridge where she stays close to agriculture on her family’s farm owning horses. Her hobbies include riding horses where she competes in many competitions and is a member of several equine associations including the Roanoke Valley Horseman’s Association.
Ms. Wentzel is a 2015 graduate of Ferrum College with a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in Environmental Science with a minor in Agriculture. Hayley was also a member of the Ferrum Equestrian club and team. She grew up participating in Roanoke Valley 4H clubs and activities. While in college, Wentzel interned at the Virginia Cooperative Extension in Roanoke.
“Along with the knowledge I gained from teachers and professors, I feel like the internship at the extension agency helped prepare me for the program technician position,” said Wentzel. “Over the years I have been fortunate to have met some amazing people. With the position at the Farm Service agency, I look forward to the opportunity I will have to meet and work with producers in the area.”
