**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:**

Tammi Schone - (605) 352-1102

# BUILT AND NURTURED RELATIONSHIPS THROUGH USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT *[Prentice Weaver Celebrates 20 Years of Federal Service]{.underline}*

**(Sioux Falls, South Dakota -- February 12, 2007)** "I enjoy working
for USDA Rural Development. I love interacting with people. I've made a
lot of friends inside and outside of the agency. Through networking,
I've been able to build and nurture relationships, as well as provide a
service to rural South Dakotans," said Prentice Weaver, State Appraiser
for USDA Rural Development. Acting State Director Tim B. Potts recently
presented Prentice with a certificate of appreciation and a twenty-year
pin for his years of federal service.

"Prentice is a great asset to our agency. He has helped re-write
regulation that has aided the process of appraising properties in rural
areas as well as on the Indian reservations. Throughout his career, we
have never had an appraisal appealed and his expertise and knowledge is
often sought by his counterparts in other states," said Potts.

Weaver began his career with Rural Development in 1986. He considers
this his third career, starting at the age of 36 working in the Pierre
Rural Development Office as an Assistant County Supervisor, later
transferring to the State Appraiser position in 1991. In 2002 he
relocated to the Sioux Falls Rural Development Office. His duties have
included completing appraisals on Multi-Family Housing and Single Family
housing properties financed by RD in South Dakota. He is also
responsible for completing technical and or field reviews on both types
of properties completed by contract appraisers across the state. Other
duties include reviewing appraisals completed for the Rural Development
B & I programs and assisting several surrounding states with their
appraisal review needs.

"Longtime friends, Lyle (now deceased) and Marj Hedman were very
supportive of me, never judgmental and folks I could always could turn
to for advice," said Weaver. "With the support of my family and the
Hedmans my life has been very rewarding. My career with USDA Rural
Development has provided real security for my family. The agency allows
work schedule flexibility and it offers great benefits," Weaver added.

Weaver attended Black Hills State and South Dakota State University
earning a degree in Animal Science and Business. He and his wife Susan,
a Nurse Practitioner, have two children, Amanda and Kyle, both grown and
doing well and a grandson that they absolutely adore (with a second one
on the way). During his free time, he enjoys hunting, golfing, and
traveling, with family and friends and home remodeling with Susan.
Weaver is on the Board of Directors as an ex-officio member for the
Professional Appraisers Association of South Dakota (PAASD).

USDA Rural Development's mission is to deliver programs in a way that
will support increasing economic opportunity and improve the quality of
life of rural residents. As a venture capital entity, Rural Development
provides equity and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in
homeownership, business development, and critical community and
technology infrastructure. Further information on rural programs is
available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA's
web site at [http://www.rurdev.usda.gov](http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/).

**- USDA -**