Sweeney appointed Iowa rural development director

Former state Rep. Annette Sweeney has been appointed as Iowa rural development director, President Donald Trump’s administration announced. Sweeney has been active on Iowa Corn Growers Association committees on animal agriculture and water quality. She served in the House from 2009 to 2012, chairing the Iowa House Agriculture Committee. After growing up on a farm near Buckeye, Sweeney pursued a teaching career, then returned to manage the family farm after her father died, the corn growers association reported.