House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson, who has been the House Democrats’ most influential voice on farm policy for nearly two decades, announces that he’s running for re-election to a 16th term in Congress.

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue says there is less than a 10% chance that farmers will get more Market Facilitation Program payments this year and that China is sending “signals” it intends to honor its pledges to ramp up purchases of U.S. farm commodities.

The biofuel industry is eagerly anticipating a decision from the Trump administration on future small refinery exemptions this week, while Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue heads to Capitol Hill for a grilling on the Market Facilitation Program, food stamps and other issues.

Sean Martin joins California Giant Berry Farms and Eagle Eye hired Joe Ange.

The National Pork Board makes new leadership changes and CHS has a new executive VP.

Trade remains the top concern for American agriculture heading into 2020, with looming uncertainty about whether the Chinese will make promised increases in commodity purchases, and whether President Donald Trump will provide another round of trade assistance to U.S. producers. 

Dan Mauer joins CHS based in the Washington, D.C. office, the U.S. Wheat Associates brings three on to its team, and the National Grain and Feed Association promotes six staff members.

Three longtime GOP members of the House Agriculture Committee are vying to be the panel's top Republican in the next Congress.

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee has approved the nominations of Dan Brouillette, James Danly, and Katherine MacGregor and lots of job changes on Capitol Hill.

Fraud, regulatory hurdles and the transition period from conventional to organic farming all present unique challenges for the growing organic industry, but one of its biggest problems is one also faced by conventional agriculture: a lack of enough workers.