U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan also made recommendations on state appointments within the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

For USDA Rural Development State Director:
- William Hobbs, who worked for 20 years for the USDA Farmers Home Administration and is now the director of the Multi Family Housing Programs at the USDA Rural Development;
- Randall Gore, who has been working in rural development in North Carolina for 20 years, currently serving as area director for USDA Rural Development.

For USDA Farm Services Agency State Director:
- Philip Farland, a marketing and outreach specialist with the N.C. Department of Agriculture;
- Walter Smith, who has served as a county executive director for the USDA Farm Services Agency since 1979.