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The Kern County Water Agency named Eric Averett as the next general manager. Calstart, a zero-emission vehicle industry consortium, named former auto industry executive Michael Berube as chief executive officer. Consalo Family Farms hired Judy Spires as chair of retail strategy and industry relations. The American Feed Industry Association hired Megan Provost as chief operating officer. James Miller, administrator of USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service, is leaving USDA for a role at the Department of Health and Human Services.

State Water Contractors are warning the temporary endangered species protections are already tightening farm water supplies and raising costs and a listing could damper long-term investments.

Southern California water leader Shivaji Deshmukh will be the next general manager of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Ian Mariani is now communications director for Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif. Fresh produce digital operations platform Fusionware announced numerous new hires. The Organic Produce Association hired Jennifer Jacobs as director of marketing and membership. Helena Products Group general manager Patrick Ewan began his tenure as chairman of the Council of Producers and Distributors of Agrotechnology.

A hydrogen-powered facility that would produce 700,000 tons of nitrogen-based fertilizer a year is among the victims of the Energy Department’s decision to cut about $7.6 billion in energy grants.

Many of the threats that have faced the global produce industry over the last two years, including geopolitical risks, tariffs, inflation, labor and artificial intelligence, remain key challenges. However, the leader of the International Fresh Produce Association says IFPA is ramping up advocacy efforts and making progress on several fronts in the “Fight for Fresh.”