John Larson, right, and Jeremy Peters

The American Farmland Trust today named John Larson as executive director for programs.

AFT President Andrew McElwaine said in a news release that Larson will oversee more than 25 employees in six regional offices and will manage a budget of $5.5 million.

Larson was CEO of the National Association of Conservation Districts from 2011 until last week. Earlier, Larson served as executive director of the Washington State Association of Conservation Districts. He graduated from Washington State University with a degree in agricultural economics.

NACD President Lee McDaniel said in an email that Larson had submitted his notice last week. McDaniel added that NACD Chief Operating Officer Jeremy Peters will serve as the interim CEO while NACD searches for a new CEO.

“NACD has a close working relationship with AFT, and we look forward to continuing to work with John in his new role,” McDaniel added.

Peters joined NACD last October from AFT, where he was director of federal policy.

Earlier, Peters served as NACD’s legislative affairs manager, directed climate, conservation and energy programs for National Farmers Union and worked for former Rep. Earl Pomeroy, D-N.D., when Pomeroy was a member of the House Agriculture Committee and the Ways and Means Committee.

Peters grew up on a family farm, raising beef cattle in rural southwest Virginia. He holds bachelor’s degrees in political science and history from Emory and Henry College and a master’s in public administration from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.