Lydia Johnson

Congress has returned to session after the August recess. House Ag Committee Chair Glenn "GT" Thompson has continued to vocalize his goals to take committee action on a “farm bill 2.0” in September to address elements not included in President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill. During an interview for Agri-Pulse Newsmakers, the chairman discussed what’s on his radar this fall: farm aid payments, tariffs, ag labor reform legislation, the USDA reorganization plan, and his vision for "farm bill 2.0." 

House Ag Committee Chair Glenn “GT” Thompson says Congress can use tariff revenue to provide a new round of emergency aid to farmers to compensate them for the uncertainty around exports. 

The House Natural Resources Committee hired Juan Carlos Mora as a professional staff member. The U.S. Wheat Associates hired Ryan Olson as director of trade policy. Adam Brezine was appointed chief counsel at the California High-Speed Rail Authority.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed Daniel Villaseñor of Sacramento as deputy secretary for communications at the California Natural Resources Agency. The California Manufacturers & Technology Association named Nina Fisher vice president of communications.

The National Pork Board hired David Newman as the organization’s next chief executive officer. The U.S. Wheat Associates hired Ryan Olson as director of trade policy. Tiffany Dowell Lashmet is president-elect of the American American Agricultural Law Association.

Allie Herring is the House Ag Committee's new press secretary. Kate Steel joined the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association International as senior vice president. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association hired Savanna Ronco as director of channel marketing. Laura Ehret was named vice president of program information at The Cotton Board. Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative named Jennifer Block director of value chain partnerships.

Senate Ag Committee member Joni Ernst of Iowa will reveal next week that she won’t seek reelection in 2026 after two terms in the Senate, according to media reports Friday.

There should be a fresh look today at President Donald Trump’s impact on agricultural trade in USDA’s quarterly trade outlook. The report will show us whether the ag trade deficit is growing, or whether Trump’s trade policy is putting a dent in it. 

Deputy Agriculture Secretary Stephen Vaden says the Trump administration is looking at providing some kind of emergency assistance to producers to serve as a “bridge” until they get commodity program payments on their 2025 crops next fall.

Church Brothers Farms hired Greg Corrigan as director of sales, west. He worked at Raley’s Family of Fine Stores for 35 years, ascending the ranks from produce clerk at Bel Air Supermarkets to vice president and senior director of produce and floral. Corrigan also served as CEO of the United Vegetable Cooperative. Loree Dowse was also promoted to vice president of marketing and communications. She has been with Church Brothers Farm since 2023, recently as director of marketing. She earlier held roles with Del Monte Fresh Produce/Mann Packing, Wells Fargo and Porter Novelli International.

Elissa McLerran Gilliam has departed from the American Frozen Foods Institute to join the National Sorghum Producers. The Institute of Food Technologists hired Eric Ellis as chief financial officer. The American Coalition for Ethanol elected members to its board of directors.  

Wendell Calhoun was named senior communications manager for Syngenta North America Crop Protection. Matthew Vann was named associate dean and director of University of Illinois Extension. Longtime soy policy advocate and Delaware state Farm Service Agency executive director Richard Wilkins hasdied. The Renewable Fuels Association hired Ashley Viglione as a government affairs associate.