Lydia Johnson

Paula Stigler Granados of San Diego was appointed to the California Air Resources Board. She has been an associate professor and division head of Environmental Health at San Diego State University's School of Public Health since 2021. Stigler Granados was an associate professor at Texas State University’s School of Health Administration from 2018 to 2021. Earlier, she was an air quality specialist for the Pala Band of Mission Indians from 2005 to 2007. She is a board member of the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District and the High Tech High Foundation. 

Elise Fennig was named president and CEO of the Pet Food Institute. She will succeed Dana Brooks, who held the position since 2018. Most recently, Fennig served as chief of staff and as senior vice president of industry engagement at the National Confectioners Association. Earlier, she held leadership roles at the Consumer Brands Association, American Frozen Food Institute, and The Kraft Heinz Co. Fennig assumes her new role March 16. 

Lucas Lentsch, chief executive officer at the United Soybean Board for the past two years, has left the organization.

The House Agriculture Committee unveiled a draft farm bill Friday that would revamp a key international food aid program, boost risk management options for specialty crop growers and nullify California's controversial Proposition 12 standards for animal welfare. The bill also would address pesticide labeling and raise USDA loan limits.

In the latest setback for E15, mid-sized oil refiners say a congressional plan aimed at expanding the U.S. market for corn-based ethanol would cause them to shut down. The House GOP's new Rural Domestic Energy Council has until Sunday to offer up a plan for legislation that would allow year-round, nationwide sales of higher-ethanol blends.

At least two members of the Federal Crop Insurance Corp. board of directors, who were appointed by former Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack to serve four-year terms, were removed last week via a letter from Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation Richard Fordyce.

There’s no sign of a deal on year-round E15 ahead of Sunday’s self-imposed deadline for House Republicans. But Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson tells Agri-Pulse that E15 won’t be included in the upcoming farm bill, even if GOP lawmakers can agree on a deal in time.

California Department of Food and Agriculture deputy secretary for legislative affairs, Rachael O’Brien, has left the department to become vice president of government relations at the California Grocers Association. Capespan North America hired Craig Messmer and Ashley Berlinger as sales executives. At least two members of the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation board of directors, who were appointed by former Ag Sec. Tom Vilsack to serve four-year terms, were removed last week via a letter from Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation Richard Fordyce. Ryan Howard was promoted to North American sales director at Family Tree Farms.

D.C. Legislative and Regulatory Services promoted Laurie Flanagan to president and David Beaudreau as executive vice president. David Crow, founder of the firm, will continue working full-time and transition into the role of strategic adviser. Matt Herrick is the next president and chief executive officer for the International Bottled Water Association.

A broad-based coalition of agricultural groups is releasing an analysis today showing how the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement benefits the farm sector.