Articles by Lydia Johnson

Former Department of Government Efficiency staffer Sam Berry is now chief information officer at the Agriculture Department, replacing Gary Washington. The U.S. Meat Export Federation elected new officers, including Jay Theiler of Agri Beef Company as chair. Ed Patru  joined American Beverage as senior vice president of public affairs. Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., named Nathan Mark legislative director. The Animal Ag Alliance announced new board leadership, including Nick Wolfenden of Cargill as board chairperson.

Western Growers has appointed Rob Yraceburu, president of Wonderful Orchards at The Wonderful Company, as chair of its board of directors. In his role at Wonderful Orchards, Yraceburu oversees the world’s largest grower of pistachios and pomegranates and one of the largest growers of almonds and wine grapes. Before joining the Wonderful Company in 2015, he spent nearly three decades at Wells Fargo, where he served as a senior banker and as executive vice president and head of national food and agribusiness. During his tenure, he helped finance many of The Wonderful Company’s acquisitions, including FIJI Water and JUSTIN Vineyards. A fourth-generation raisin and almond farmer from California’s Central Valley, Yraceburu succeeds Stuart Woolf as chair and will serve a two-year term. 

Grant Leslie has been named government and policy operating partner at S2G Investments. CropLife International has appointed Corteva CEO Chuck Magro chairman of the group's board of directors. Alison Foster was promoted to manager of government affairs and operations for the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives.

Rob Vandenheuvel started his new role as president and chief executive officer at California Dairies after a transition period with Brad Anderson, the group's former CEO. David Bernstein, former chair of the United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association, died Oct. 22. Corynn Wolf was appointed to the 16th District Agricultural Association Mid State Fair Board. The Clean Energy Buyers Association hired Thomas Green as manager of government affairs. Backcountry Hunters & Anglers selected Ryan “Cal” Callaghan as the group’s next president and CEO. 

Jordan Bonfitto, former senior adviser to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, joined Invariant’s food and agriculture practice. Dustin Winston was promoted to director of U.S. dairy business development at StoneX Group. Lindl Government Affairs hired Brad Copenhaver as a full-time director of client development. The National Pork Producers Council hired Kyle Garner as manager of congressional affairs.

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.

Coca-Cola  made with cane sugar instead of high-fructose corn syrup is now for sale in select cities and retailers across the U.S. after a push by President Donald Trump.

The American Feed Industry Association hired Megan Provost as chief operating officer. James Miller, administrator of USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service, will leave the department to pursue a role at the Department of Health and Human Services. Emily Buckman joined John Deere as a manager of government affairs. Timothy Schell was named director of the Food and Drug Administration's Center for Veterinary Medicine. Ryan King was appointed deputy commissioner for the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. 

Top U.S. trade officials meet their Chinese counterparts today in Malaysia as the U.S. tries to resolve ongoing tensions and advance negotiations ahead of a leaders’ meeting next week.

There’s a plan to unveil a package to rebuild U.S. beef herds, Trump administration officials say.