Articles by Lydia Johnson

The National Pork Producers Council hired Kelcy Schaunaman as manager of competition, labor, and tax. Jillien Streit was appointed director of the Montana Department of Agriculture. 

DTB AgriTrade hired Gina Tumbarello as a partner. Phil Radford has departed from the Sierra Club where he previously served as chief strategy officer. The American Coalition for Ethanol board of directors elected new 2025 officers. 

Sustaining American competitiveness through agricultural education and building a workforce prepared to work with artificial intelligence were key priorities for the National FFA Organization and its partners at an event Tuesday in the House Agriculture Committee room. 

Brooke Appleton, an alumnus from the first Trump administration, has been appointed USDA deputy undersecretary for farm production and conservation, according to a USDA source familiar with the hiring.

President Donald Trump announced sweeping duties on Canada, Mexico and China over the weekend, triggering a trade conflict with the U.S.’ largest agricultural trading partners.

Johansson runs for Assembly * Trump dumps water * Tariffs inject new uncertainty for ag economy

President Donald Trump is reiterating plans to hit Canada and Mexico with 25% tariffs starting Saturday.

New water fees * Tariffs on Canada, Mexico to start tomorrow * Watching the Republicans on RFK Jr.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is set today for the second of his two confirmation hearings. This time he’ll be before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. Its jurisdiction includes the Food and Drug Administration, which regulates 80% of the food supply. 

Paul Souza of Sacramento will serve as acting director of Fish and Wildlife Service. Mac Marshall joined Apeel Sciences as Americas product director.

President Trump designated Jeffery Hall as board chairman and CEO of the Farm Credit Administration. Glen Smith of Iowa was elected chairman of the Farm Credit System Insurance Corporation board of directors. 

Former Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has been named CEO of the World Food Prize Foundation. The American Peanut Council hired Kate Maher as membership manager.