Monica Armster Rainge

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Monica Armster Rainge is a globally recognized agricultural lawyer, mediator, and farm advocate. She is one of the most influential female leaders in agriculture today. For more than 25 years, her passion has been fighting for justice for underserved and marginalized communities in food, agriculture, land rights and natural resources management.

In February 2021, Monica Armster Rainge was appointed Deputy Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). She currently serves as a Senior Advisor.

Prior to her appointment, she served as the Director of Land Retention and Advocacy for the Federation of Southern Cooperatives/ Land Assistance Fund where she led the development and management of outreach and technical assistance programs that support regional land retention and advocacy initiatives for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. She also directed the Regional Heirs Property and Mediation Center which provides USDA-certified mediation services in Georgia, Mississippi and Louisiana.

Attorney Rainge served as the inaugural Chair of the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University Brooksville Agricultural and Environmental Research Station (BAERS) Advisory Committee where she led the strategic planning process for the University's historic development of 3800 acres of land in Brooksville, Florida. She also previously served as an executive board member and treasurer of the National Family Farm Coalition and served on the boards of the Southern Rural Development Center and Farmers Legal Action Group (FLAG).

As an innovative agricultural strategist, Rainge is one of the nation's most well-respected thought leaders on the development of farm bill policies which advance equity for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. She previously served as a policy adviser and research principal with the Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Policy Research Center at Alcorn State University.

A high energy professional and motivational leader, she is a frequent keynote at major agricultural events across the country.

Ms. Rainge holds a bachelor's degree in agricultural business from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University and a juris doctor from the University of Florida. She earned a Master of Laws degree in Agricultural Law from the University of Arkansas.

Attorney Rainge is a native of Thomasville, Georgia.