Indiana Ag News Headlines Long Thompson Nominated to Farm Credit Indiana Ag Connection - 10/19/2009 Last year's Democratic candidate for Indiana governor has been nominated by President Obama to the board that oversees the Federal Farm Credit Administration. The nomination announced by the White House would return Jill Long Thompson to Washington, where she served in Congress from 1989 to 1995 and then was a top official in the Agriculture Department under former President Bill Clinton. Thompson, who ran rural development programs as an undersecretary of agriculture during the Clinton administration, is also the former chief executive officer of the Washington-based National Center for Food and Agricultural Policy. Thompson, 57, was raised on a farm in Whitley County and received a doctorate in marketing from Indiana University before entering Democratic politics. The Farm Credit Administration, headed by Leland "Lee" Strom, a grain farmer from Illinois, is an independent Federal agency responsible for examining and regulating the Farm Credit System. The agency's policies are set by the three-member, full-time board. It regulates and examines the banks, associations and related entities of the Farm Credit System. Board members are paid about $153,000. Obama also announced he will nominate Anne Slaughter Andrew to be ambassador to Costa Rica. Andrew is the principal of New Energy Nexus and has had a law practice in energy and environmental issues. She is the wife of Allen County, Ind., native Joe Andrew, the former chairman of the Indiana Democratic Party. Both nominations must be confirmed by the Senate. Copyright © 2010 - USAgNet.com. All Rights Reserved.