Secretary Lyons respectfully recalls former federal and state Ag leader

SACRAMENTO-Former CDFA Director and USDA Secretary Richard Lyng was remembered for his commitment to agriculture and his leadership during a memorial service today in Modesto attended by current CDFA Secretary William (Bill) J. Lyons, Jr.

“Dick Lyng was a major figure in agriculture for 50 years,” said Secretary Lyons. “He started in his father’s seed and bean business, eventually took it over, built it up considerably, and then entered the second phase of his career; distinguishing himself through public service. Those of us in the CDFA family wish to pass along our sympathy to Dick’s family.”

Lyng served as CDFA Director under California Governor Ronald Reagan during parts of 1968 and 1969, and then became the first Californian to serve as USDA Secretary, appointed by President Reagan in 1986.

Like Secretary Lyons and current USDA Secretary Ann Veneman, Lyng was from Modesto. Veneman also attended the service.





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California Department of Food and Agriculture Office of Public Affairs
1220 N St., Ste. 214, Sacramento, CA 95814
916-654-0462, www.cdfa.ca.gov