The Family Farm Alliance named Samantha Barncastle executive director effective Nov. 1. The New Mexico farmer and attorney has 17 years experience in water and natural resources policy and litigation at the state and federal levels. She worked at two water law firms in Las Cruces, New Mexico, before launching her own practice, Barncastle Law Firm, in 2014. “I hope to work with other industries and interests to preserve our Western way of life, while also economically and safely feeding America,” Barncastle said in a statement. She will begin transitioning into the new role in August before assuming full responsibilities after current Executive Director Dan Keppen steps down after the 2025 annual conference in Reno, Nevada.
Samantha Barncastle (Family Farm Alliance photo)The House Agriculture Committee Republican staff hired Josh Stull as a professional staff member covering rural development and energy. He was stakeholder affairs officer at the National Institute of Food and Agriculture. He also was vice president for policy and analysis at the Supporters of Agricultural Research Foundation.
Rep. Salud Carbajal, D-Calif., hired Eduardo Carrizosa as communications director. He was press secretary in the office of Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn. Kaitlyn Heddinger was promoted to digital director/press secretary. She has been with Klobuchar since 2023.
House Ag Committee member Rep. Frank Lucas, R-Okla., hired Daniel Dziadon as deputy chief of staff. He was Republican staff director for the House Science, Space and Technology Committee's Energy Subcommittee.
The Department of Interior named Andrew Williams deputy director of congressional affairs in the Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs. He worked for the Senate Western Caucus and was Senate Environment and Public Works Fisheries, Water and Wildlife Subcommittee staff director.
Eocene Environmental Group hired Laura Bachmeier as a livestock specialist. She was business development director of meat at the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute and earlier director of pork quality and safety at the National Pork Board.
Justin Rhee joined the Department of Interior as a special adviser to Secretary Doug Burgum. He was a professional staff member on the House Natural Resources Committee Indian and Insular Affairs Subcommittee. Earlier in his career, Rhee worked for The Heritage Foundation.
Hilmar named Greg Schlafer as CEO. He previously was CEO of Foremost Farms USA and president of Lamb Weston. He worked at General Mills for over 20 years. He has served on the board of directors of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, International Dairy Foods Association and National Milk Producers Federation.
The Tire Recycling Foundation named Stephanie Mull executive director. Mull was recently a senior sustainability senior manager at PepsiCo focused on PFNA fleet decarbonization.
The Illinois Environmental Council hired Cate Caldwell as a senior policy manager. She served Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., as a correspondence manager and legislative correspondent.
Former AgReliant Genetics chief operating officer Craig Anderson was named CEO of Ag Alumni Seed. He was most recently chief operating officer at Dryland Genetics, a research-based agriculture startup focused on proso millet.
It’s easy to be “in the know” about agriculture news from coast to coast! Sign up for a FREE month of Agri-Pulse news. Simply click here.
Olivia Rinesmith was promoted to marketing strategist at Stratovation Group. She has been with the company for a year, most recently as a marketing specialist. Rinesmith studied agricultural communications at The Ohio State University.
OurEnergyPolicy promoted Jordan Crowe to senior director of policy and programs. He was a program director. Crowe was a trade policy coordinator at the U.S. Grains Council.
AgSouth Farm Credit president and CEO Vance Dalton announced his retirement in January 2026. He has worked for Farm Credit for 32 years, including 12 as CEO. The AgSouth board of directors is seeking Dalton’s successor in collaboration with Farm Credit Consulting Services.
Ellen Lupkes (WFPF photo)The World Food Prize Foundation hired Ellen Lupkes as senior manager of global youth programs and partnerships focused on the Global Youth Institute and Iowa Youth Institute. An Iowa native and Iowa State University graduate, Lupkes was team lead at AgriCorps in Ghana and program facilitator in Liberia.
The American Conservation Coalition announced new staff members. Vale Sloane was named major gifts officer. He was vice president of development for the Federalist Society. Sam Kessler was named senior government affairs manager. He was a congressional fellow in the office of Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., from the Climate Solutions Foundation focused on supporting market-based policy solutions to climate mitigation and adaptation challenges. Additional new staff members include Alina Clough as strategic communications program manager and Patrick Burland as digital communications manager.
TopSoe hired Scott Shiller as head of U.S. federal affairs. He was a principal at Padron USA and earlier was legislative director for now-EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin when he was a member of Congress. Shiller also worked at the U.S. Agency for International Development.
Clear Path named Campbell Fain chief financial officer. He was previously senior financial manager at R Street Institute and controller at the National Republican Senatorial Committee .
Amy Myers is now covering agriculture, environment and energy as a legislative assistant for Rep. Nellie Pou, D-N.J. She was a legislative correspondent for Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio.
Jeremy Symons launched the Center for Energy & Environmental Analysis, a nonpartisan think tank. He has been a principal at Symons Public Affairs and worked for the Environmental Defense Fund, Environmental Protection Agency, National Wildlife Federation and Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.
Yanmar Compact Equipment named Anna Christine Sgro president of the North American region. She has held senior executive roles at Volvo Construction Equipment, Strongco Equipment, and Ritchie Bros.
For more news, go to www.Agri-Pulse.com.
