Saint Paul - Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Marcus Knisely and Sander Ludeman and the reappointment of Susan Meyer and Howard Swenson to the Minnesota Rural Finance Authority.

Knisely, of New London, is the chief executive officer for United Farm Credit Systems (FCS) and has over 28 years of experience in the financial industry. United FCS serves 22 rural counties located in Minnesota and Wisconsin with over 4,400 farmer stockholders. Knisely holds a bachelor of science degree from the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Michigan State University. He is appointed as a public member to fulfill a four-year term that expires January 3, 2011 and replaces James Molenaar on the board.

Ludeman, of Tracy, is the senior managing partner of SanMarBo Farms, Inc., a diversified corn, soybeans, and hog operation near Tracy, Minnesota. Ludeman has served on a number of agricultural boards including Governor Pawlenty’s Livestock Task Force, Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotional Council, and Minnesota Farm Bureau. He earned a bachelor of science degree in agricultural economics from the University of Minnesota. Ludeman is appointed as a public member to a four-year term that expires January 7, 2013 and replaces William Thyne on the board.

Meyer, of New Prague, is a pork producer and row crop farmer. She serves as the vice president and secretary of Meyer Brookside Farms, Inc. She is active in the Minnesota Pork Producers and the Minnesota Soybean Growers Associations. Meyer serves on the LeSueur/Scott County Soybean Board and Adult Farm Management Advisory Board. She is reappointed as public member to a term that expires January 3, 2011.

Swenson, of Nicollet, is a lifelong farmer and served as a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from January 1995 to January 2005, including serving as chairman of the House Agricultural Policy Committee. Swenson also served as a member of his local school board. Swenson is reappointed as public member to a four-year term that ends January 7, 2013.

The Minnesota Rural Finance Authority offers a variety of loan programs through participating lenders. These loan programs help new farmers purchase agricultural land, expand livestock production, make physical improvements to farm operations, or invest in a Minnesota value-added farmer owned cooperative. The Authority also operates the Aggie Bond program. The Authority is made up of 11 members, including six appointed by the Governor.