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June 29, 2009

Landkamer nominated for ag post

By Dan Linehan

MANKATO — Mankatoan Colleen Landkamer is one step closer to an Obama administration post leading rural development efforts in Minnesota.

The White House, acting on a January recommendation by Sen. Amy Klobuchar, on Monday nominated Landkamer to become the state director of rural development. Landkamer, 59, was the first female Blue Earth County Commissioner when she was first elected in 1988.

The nomination now goes to the Senate’s agriculture committee, then to a full Senate vote, a Klobuchar spokesman said. It’s not clear how long that will take. Landkamer’s term on the County Board runs through 2010, so a special election will be needed to fill her seat.

Landkamer has long been active in rural development. She pioneered the rural caucus at the National Association of Counties about 15 years ago and was the organization’s president for a year beginning in July of 2006.

She’s also worked on rural issues at boards of directors for the Rural Policy Center, Greater Minnesota Housing Fund and the Center for Transportation Studies at the University of Minnesota.

Since being nominated in January, Landkamer has been awaiting word from the White House. She finally got it Sunday night, but was asked not to speak about it until it was officially announced Monday.

Landkamer called her nomination “a real honor,” and said the Obama administration has made rural development a priority.

Her post, part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is responsible for promoting economic development in rural areas, helping build public facilities like health clinics, drinking water and sewers, electric services and aid to small towns.

“It’s all about making sure that rural communities are viable and sustainable,” Landkamer said.

Provided the Senate approves her nomination, Landkamer plans to remain living in Mankato and to commute to her St. Paul office. She also expects the job to involve a lot of travel around the state.

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