Articles by Lydia Johnson

Rural Investment to Protect our Environment named Minnesota farmer Alana Petersen as president. The American Veterinary Medical Association hired Paul Gage as director of the federal government relations division. 

Bryce McWilliams joined the office of Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., as a legislative assistant covering agriculture issues. Gary Wheeler resigned as CEO and executive director of Missouri Soybeans for personal reasons effective immediately. Jack Long joined the office of Rep. Michelle Fischbach, R-Minn., as a legislative assistant covering agriculture issues. 

Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins is marking President Donald Trump’s first 100 days in office in Texas today with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

CDFA hosts trade talks * Card check fix gets fixed * RFK joins Rollins in Texas * Vaden gets committee vote

President Donald Trump is celebrating 100 days in office this week as Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins says we should start seeing some progress on trade deals.

Congressional Republicans return from their two-week recess facing the herculean task of finding agreement on a budget reconciliation bill that can enact President Donald Trump’s tax and spending priorities. USDA’s top trade nominee will get his confirmation hearing. The House GOP also is taking aim at California climate waivers and an endangered species designation.

Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins says USDA will assess market losses from President Donald Trump’s tariffs closer to harvest and then provide aid to producers if it’s necessary. 

Marc DeBernardi was named the 2024-25 California Ag Educator of the Year and the Golden Owl Award recipient. She is an agriculture educator and FFA adviser at Santa Maria High School. Along with recognition at the California FFA State Leadership Conference, she received a $3,000 donation to support ag education at her school. Additional finalists included: Carrie Phillips from Altaville-Bret Harte FFA, Lori Porter of Livermore FFA, Vernon Clark of Bakersfield-Foothill FFA, Krystal Thomas of San Marcos FFA and Jim Shanks of Dorris Butte Valley FFA. 

The Family Farm Alliance named Samantha Barncastle executive director effective Nov. 1. Josh Stull joined the House Agriculture Committee Republican staff covering rural development and energy issues. Hilmar named Greg Schlafer as CEO.

The Department of Interior named Andrew Williams deputy director of congressional affairs in the Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs. Justin Rhee also joined the department as a special adviser to Secretary Burgum. 

China is ramping up the tough talk even as uncertainty over U.S. trade policy continues amid the swoon in markets. A Chinese government spokesperson says that any U.S. effort to use trade deals to hamstring China’s economic dealings will be met with countermeasures.

E15 gets strong support in CA * Beijing threatens countermeasures * DC’s Egg-cellent day