Ron Carleton
The Environmental Protection Agency has hired Colorado Deputy Agriculture Commissioner Ron Carleton as its liaison to farmers and ranchers, Greenwire reported today, based on an email sent to EPA staffers on Tuesday.

Carleton, 60, has been Colorado’s deputy agriculture commissioner since 2012. Former Rep. John Salazar, D-Colo., is the commissioner in that agency, and Carleton was Salazar’s chief of staff when Salazar served in the House. Salazar was defeated in 2010.

Earlier, Carleton worked for Democratic Reps. Denise Majette of Georgia, Brad Sherman of California, Martin Frost of Texas and and Sen. Jack Schmitt, R-N.M., Greenwire said.

In Colorado, Carleton has worked on regulations for the farming of hemp, drought, food safety and the Waters of the United States proposed rule. He also chaired the Colorado Food Systems Advisory Council, which provides recommendations on increasing access to local foods, Greenwire said.

Carleton replaces acting agricultural counselor Allison Wiedeman, an official in EPA’s water office. Wiedeman succeeded Sarah Bittleman, a former aide to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. Bittleman now works for the Senate Finance Committee.

According to his Colorado Department of Agriculture biography, Carleton is a resident of Fort Collins, Colo.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Houston, a master’s degree from the American University, and a law degree from George Mason University School of Law.

He has also been adjunct professor with the Marymount University School of Business in Arlington, Va., where he taught classes on public policy and administrative law.

▪ Greenwire — Longtime Hill staffer gets ag post — an agency hot seat