Articles by Lydia Johnson

The Friant Water Authority appointed Julie Gantenbein as general counsel. She has been a shareholder in the Water and Power Law Group for the past 15 years where she has gained experience in water rights, regulatory compliance and statewide water policy. Her legal career includes extensive experience in non-federal hydropower licensing and compliance proceedings before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), natural gas certificate and compliance matters before FERC, and regulatory proceedings for federal water control facilities before the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, according to the Friant Water Authority’s news release. 

House Agriculture Committee Chair Glenn “GT” Thompson, R-Pa., is taking issue with suggestions that the days of full, five-year farm bills may be over.

Representatives from Tractor Supply company and 30 young 4-Hers rang the Nasdaq opening bell Monday to celebrate $25 million raised through the Paper Clover campaign. 

The American Soybean Association elected new members to its board of directors, including Ohio grower Scott Metzger as 2026 ASA president. The American Farm Bureau Federation hired Autumn Lankford Higgins as director of government affairs. Sustainable aviation fuel developer Gevo tapped Paul Bloom as CEO and a director on the company’s board. Pivot Bio announced additions to the senior management team, including Shekar Govindaswamy as principal scientist.

Congress needs to provide at least $10 billion in additional aid to farmers to supplement the $12 billion being provided by the Trump administration through its Farmer Bridge Assistance Program, House Agriculture Committee Chair Glenn “GT” Thompson tells Agri-Pulse.

The Nature Conservancy hired Charlton “Chuck” Bonham as California executive director. Stephanie Gross joined the Congressional Western Caucus as a policy adviser. California Farm Bureau re-elected officers, including Shannon Douglass as president, Shaun Crook as as first vice president, and Ron Peterson as second vice president. 

Republican farm-state senators say row crop growers are likely to need additional aid beyond the Trump administration's newly announced $12 billion "bridge" payment program, and specialty crop producers say the package shortchanges them.

FGS Global hired Mary Nowak Armstrong as managing director. Illinois Farm Bureau delegates have voted in Philip Nelson as their new president. The American Soybean Association made promotions and new hires on the industry relations team: Kate Maher hired as director of state and industry relations, Tracy Snider  promoted to executive director of state and industry relations, and Michelle Hummel  promoted to senior director of industry and stakeholder relations. 

Read how farm organizations and top lawmakers reacted to the $12 billion "bridge" payment plan announced by the Trump administration on Monday.

The Agriculture Department will complete a reorganization of more than half the current D.C.-based staff to five regional hubs across the U.S. by the end of 2026, Deputy Agriculture Secretary Stephen Vaden confirmed on Agri-Pulse Newsmakers.