Indiana native named to rural affairs USDA post

An Indiana native is being named to a U.S. Department of Agriculture post overseeing rural issues.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced Monday that Anne Hazlett will lead the USDA's rural development agencies.

Hazlett has worked on agriculture and rural issues for more than 15 years and served as an adviser to former Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels.

She was also chief of staff to former Lt. Governor Becky Skillman and helped create Indiana's Office of Community and Rural Affairs.

Hazlett holds an agricultural communications degree from Kansas State University, a law degree from Indiana University and a masters in agricultural law from the University of Arkansas.

She most recently served as chief counsel to the majority on the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.