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Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed Meghan Hertel as the new director of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, a move aimed at steering the agency through ongoing conservation challenges. Church Brothers Farms hired Omar Bobadilla as chief strategy and operations officer. Kahn, Soares & Conway, LLP hired Alex Dominguez, an attorney specializing in public agency and water law. Sarah Alvernaz, general manager of California Sweet Potato Growers, was elected as the U.S. Sweet Potato Council’s new president.

OFW Law hired two USDA alums: Jeff Canavan as senior policy adviser and Jamie Woodside as associate attorney. Invariant has promoted Ken Barbic to chair the firm's food and agriculture practice. 

Healthy Rural California appointed Emmie Johnson as CEO. Valent U.S.A. hired Meggie Gilbert as a strategic farms sustainable solutions account manager. After the sudden death of California Rep. Doug LaMalfa, the Western Caucus elected Utah Rep. Celeste Maloy as chair. Elena Kuhn joined the office of California Sen. Adam Schiff as a senior communications adviser. Jackson Takach has taken on leadership responsibilities for the Farm & Ranch operating segment at FarmerMac. Oregon Rep. Andrea Salinas promoted Molly McTaggart to legislative director.

Ashley McFarland is the new president and CEO of the American Malting Barley Association. Jackson Takach has taken on leadership responsibilities for the Farm & Ranch operating segment at FarmerMac. Sarah Novak joined Zinpro Corporation as director of global industry relations and market intelligence. After the sudden passing of Rep. Doug LaMalfa, the Western Caucus elected Rep. Celeste Maloy as chair. Emma Hoffschneider joined the office of Rep. Adrian Smith as communications director. The House Agriculture Committee Republican promoted Kyle Upton and Austin Deberry, and hired Hannah Otte.

IPR Fresh hired Mark Munger as vice president of marketing and business development. Kahn, Soares & Conway, LLP promoted Taylor Triffo to managing director of legislative affairs. Emily Wier of San Diego was appointed to the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board. Daniel Curtin of Sacramento was reappointed to the California Water Commission. CalFlowers appointed Gustavo Gilchrist, president of Kennicott Bros. Co., to the group’s board of directors.  

The Fertilizer Institute promoted Megan Costello to chief of staff and Catharine Perry to chief operating officer. William Hohenstein, director of the Office of Energy and Environmental Policy at USDA, is retiring. Ashley McKeon joined the Environmental Defense Fund as director of agriculture policy. The National Association of Wheat Growers promoted Anthony Peña to vice president of policy and communications. Jess McCarron was promoted to managing director of Signal Outdoors at Signal Group DC. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association promoted Hunter Ihrman to executive director of strategic engagement and government affairs. 

State Sen. Anna Caballero was named chair of the Assembly's Senate Committee on Agriculture. Reservoir Farms hired Leticia Hernandez as Salinas site manager. Dorene D’Adamo of Turlock was reappointed by California Gov. Gavin Newsom to continue serving on the California State Water Resources Control Board. Chris Galen retired from the National Milk Producers Federation. Gabriel Allen of Portola Valley was appointed chief counsel at the California state Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. 

Sharon Bomer Lauritsen, agricultural trade consultant at AgTrade Strategies, has retired. She held numerous roles in the space, including assistant U.S. trade representative for agricultural affairs in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, executive vice president of food and agriculture at the Biotechnology Innovation Organization, and associate deputy administrator for fruit and vegetable programs at the Agriculture Department.

California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross will retire at the end of 2026. Todd Ferrara launched Ferrara Government Affairs, a new advocacy and consulting firm, in Sacramento. Rep. Doug LaMalfa, a northern California Republican and fourth-generation rice farmer on the House Agriculture Committee, died. He was 65. Justin Benavidez, who was chief economist for the House Agriculture Committee's Republican staff for the past three years, is succeeding Seth Meyer as USDA chief economist.  

The International Year of the Woman Farmer is here to recognize the women who power American agriculture and agribusiness. Major U.S. ag groups have formed an IYWF working group to organize and coordinate activities.