Pat Takasugi is a third generation farmer from Wilder, Idaho, where he farmed for 20 years and is currently operating over 1,000 irrigated acres. He was appointed Director of Agriculture by Governor Phil Batt on March 18, 1996. He was educated in Idaho schools and received his B.A. from Albertson's College of Idaho in 1971. After college, he enlisted in the U.S. Army qualifying airborne, Ranger, Special Forces, and graduated from the Infantry Officer Candidate School, attaining the rank of captain.

In 1979, Pat was honored as the "Outstanding Young Farmer" in Idaho by the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation and also received the state Jaycees' "Idaho Outstanding Young Farmer" award in 1980.

He has served in many organization leadership roles with the Farm Bureau, Food Producers of Idaho, Leadership Idaho Agriculture Foundation, Idaho Crop Improvement Association, University of Idaho Ag Consulting Council, Idaho Republican State Central Committee, Northwest Alfalfa Seed Growers Association, Idaho Alfafa Seed Commission, National Council of Ag Employers, Canyon County Sheriff Reserve Unit and several insurance company boards of directors.

Takasugi's priorities are in range management issues, noxious weed control, department reorganization, water quality, department reorganization, water quality, marketing, and computer technology, with an underlying customer service orientation and customer needs recognition.

Takasugi and his wife, Suzanne, live on the farm in Wilder with their two sons, Taylor and Cole.