Luke Fritz served the needs of Butler County farmers for 28 years as the county executive director of the Farm Service Agency for the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Fritz, 53, of Middlesex Township now helps more farmers as the agricultural supervisory district director, overseeing 22 counties.

He will continue working out of the Butler Service Center in Connoquenessing Township.

In his former post, Fritz serviced farmers in Butler, Beaver and Allegheny counties.

He secured financial assistance for growers under the Farm Bill, which included loans as well as administering conservation and disaster assistance programs.

Fritz said he is most proud of the service provided during his tenure.

“We have been able to administer programs promptly and fairly,” he said.

Fritz said he intends to improve efficiency at the district level, eliminating “bottlenecks” slowing down aid to farmers.

He stressed the continued importance of farming.

“Everyone needs agriculture,” Fritz said.

He cited agriculture providing a local food source and affecting the economy.

“It’s an economic driver,” Fritz said. “We need producers and their products.”

He said Pennsylvania farmers face challenges such as operating under a disadvantage compared to some parts of the country.

“Our producers are financially distressed,” he said.

Fritz cited the current Farm Bill offering some financial assistance strictly based on how long corn was produced on a farm.

The current bill ends in 2018.

The Farm Service Agency has county committees comprised of farmers elected by their peers to serve.

“I want to work closely with each committee,” Fritz said.

No one can accuse Fritz of not understanding the needs and concerns of county farmers — he is one.

He farms land in Adams and Middlesex townships.

On an interim basis, Luke Vogel, the county executive director for Mercer and Lawrence counties, will handle Fritz’s former duties.

Vogel, a Forward Township native who now lives in Worth Township, said the post helps farmers learn better practices and ways to become more profitable.

“To do everything we can to help farmers,” Vogel said.