Lydia Johnson

Opponents of California’s Proposition 12 used a House Agriculture Committee hearing Wednesday to voice their concerns about the impacts on the nation’s pork producers of the animal welfare law, which was narrowly upheld by the Supreme Court last year.

Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins unveiled a week-long schedule for the Great American Farmers Market on the National Mall Aug. 3-8, including daily themes on Make America Healthy Again, preventing wildfires and spotlighting the American farmer. 

CropLife America hired Environmental Protection Agency alumna Venus Welch-White as director of government relations. Fresh Del Monte Produce hired Miles Fraser-Jones as vice president of sales and product management, deciduous and citrus (international). Jennifer Osborn has been appointed director at the California Department of Industrial Relations. 

Veterinarian C. Mike Tomlinson was appointed to the California Veterinary Medical Board. Former Environmental Protection Agency senior legislative adviser Angela Hervig joined the office of Rep. Luz Rivas, D-Calif., as a legislative assistant covering agriculture, food and trade. Matt Bornhorst departed Meristem Crop Performance where he served as a strategic account lead. 

Bobby Frederick is starting a new position as senior director, head of federal government relations for Cargill Inc. CropLife America hired Environmental Protection Agency alumnus Venus Welch-White as director of government affairs.Those are just two of several job changes in ag organizations and on Capitol Hill. 

Senate Republicans are planning to put the first fiscal 2026 appropriations bills on the floor this week, testing Democrats over the GOP's successful rescission of $9 billion worth of FY25 spending. A key Agriculture Committee nominee also will get a confirmation hearing this week.

Agricultural Research Service labs and offices are being told to prepare for a funding shortfall at the end of the fiscal year that amounts to about 10% of the agency’s annual budget, ARS employees are telling Agri-Pulse. A USDA spokesperson, however, said the Department does not anticipate any funding shortfalls to occur. 

President Donald Trump has announced on social media that Coca-Cola is switching to cane sugar. That would, of course, be a lost market for the corn sweetener industry.

Leaders of 19 state corn grower groups and the National Corn Growers Association are appealing to President Donald Trump today to ensure the next Make America Healthy Again report doesn’t target pesticides for restrictions.

Duane Simpson, formerly with the Bayer Crop Science Division, took over as the leader of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives this week. The International Dairy Foods Association promoted Michelle Albee Matto to vice president of regulatory affairs and nutrition. 

Elisha Modisett Kemp was promoted to head of U.S. government and industry affairs at Corteva Agriscience. David Bergstein was named communications director for Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J. Brian Liedl joined the U.S. Wheat Associates as vice president of overseas operations.