Farm Hands

RSS

The new communications director for the Senate Ag Committee GOP staff has been named. Raymond Dobert joined Harambe Ag Consulting as a principal. Ethan Matthews was promoted to vice president of government affairs at Wilbur-Ellis.

The National FFA Organization announced six individuals selected to serve on the 2024-25 officer team. Grace Howe will assume the role of executive director at the Wisconsin Agri-Business Association on Nov. 1. The Biotechnology Innovation Organization hired Karin Hoelzer as senior director of patient advocacy.

Matthew Jaffe was tapped as acting assistant United States trade representative for trade policy coordination. The American Soybean Association promoted Blair Shipp to state policy communications manager.

The National 4-H Council hired Natalie Godwin as vice president of corporate communications. The Meat Institute elected key new officers, executive board members and its full board of directors members for 2025. Corteva appointed Judd O’Connor as executive vice president of the Seed Business Unit effective December 1.

The International Dairy Foods Association made two staff changes. Samuel Alcaine, Ph.D., was hired as Vice President of Regulatory and Scientific Affairs and Jeffrey Cullen was hired as director of video production and digital communications. The Renewable Fuels Association elected new officers. Jeff Oestmann, CEO of Aztalan Bio, was elected chair. 

Harley Janssen is the new director of outputs and measurements at the National Corn Growers Association. He will focus on translating and interpreting production and sustainability data to help growers access new sustainability markets. Brent Boydston started Ag Center Solutions, his own consulting firm. Stefanie Katzman was tapped as CEO of her family’s company, Katzman. 

Working Lands for Wildlife tapped Tanner Swank as great plains grasslands biome manager. Family Farm Alliance executive director Dan Keppen will step down from the position at the organization’s annual meeting in October 2025.

Sarah Gonzalez departed from her role at the National Grain and Feed Association to lead communications and public affairs at the International Fresh Produce Association. The National Pork Producers Council added Jake Sterle to staff as director of industry resource development. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise promoted Leah McPhearson to legislative assistant to cover agriculture, food and animal portfolio areas. 

Jake Li, who has led EPA’s efforts to comply with the Endangered Species Act, is moving to the Fish and Wildlife Service where he will take a lead role on endangered species conservation. NASDA elected new leadership at the group’s annual meeting in Indianapolis, including tapping Arkansas Department of Agriculture Secretary Wes Ward as the 2024-2025 president. 

Illinois farmer Kenny Hartman assumed the role of NCGA president on Oct. 1. Whit Fosburgh joined the National Fish and Wildlife as chief development officer. Patty Cormier was elected president of the National Association of State Foresters. 

The National Farmers Union has named Chase Kusel director of communications. Anne Knapke joined the Meridian Institute as a senior director. She has been at USDA since 2021. 

FMC president Darren Dillenbeck was elected to a two-year team as chair of the CropLife America board of directors. Fifth-generation Colorado rancher Tim Canterbury was elected president of the Public Lands Council. Torrey Advisory Group hired Grace Walker as a member and events manager. 

Former Senate Ag Committee chief economist John Newton is joining Terrain where he will lead a team of economists and analysts. Jamila Thompson was appointed chief of staff and Jon Hurst was promoted to special advisor for agriculture for United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai.

Darryl Blakey joined BASF as manager of government affairs. Emma Scott was appointed director of the food and agriculture clinic at Vermont Law and Graduate School. The Conservation Lands Foundation tapped Chris Hill as CEO. The World Shipping Council appointed Tamekia Flack as director of U.S. government relations. 

The former chief economist for Republicans on the Senate Ag Committee is moving to Terrain, where he will lead a team of economists and analysts.

Tuesday was John Newton's last day as the chief economist for the Senate Agriculture Committee under ranking member John Boozman of Arkansas. Bob Petersen will retire from Petersen Consulting, the firm he founded in 2004. Erica Venancio, the firm’s senior executive, will assume leadership of the firm.  

After 13 years, Lisa Humphreys’ time at the United Soybean Board came to an “unexpected and abrupt halt,” she wrote in a LinkedIn post. The U.S. Grains Council has added staff and made multiple promotions: Burhan Chaudhry, Juan Diaz, Sam Clemence, Lucas Rudy and Sam Redfern.