Lydia Johnson

USDA is scrambling to rehire some employees who were terminated even though their work is related to combatting avian flu.

The California Pork Producers Association named Mackenzie Bressler as executive director. The Oakland Board of Port Commissioners named Kristi McKenney as the port’s new executive director. Janea Scott is joining Sacramento energy and climate lobbying firm, Caliber Strategies.

In an effort to save the Food for Peace program amid the dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development, farm-state Republicans have proposed to move the program to the Agriculture Department. But aid experts and USAID veterans say it would take USDA years to build the expertise it needs.

The National Oilseed Processors Association hired Ryan Locke as vice president of engagement. NCBA elected new officers. Ashley Boles rejoined CropLife America as legal counsel. 

The National Corn Growers Association hired Lane Howard as director of biofuels. Senate Majority Leader John Thune made additions to his communication staff. 

The Senate is back in session this week with a key nomination for trade policy on senators’ to-do list, as well as the GOP budget resolution. Howard Lutnick’s nomination to be secretary of commerce is next in line for the Senate after the nomination of Kash Patel, the far more controversial pick to lead the FBI.

DPR’s 1,3-D error could tighten regulation * Delta tunnel gets permit * EU bashes reciprocal tariffs

The Trump administration’s mass firing of probationary federal employees has swept out workers across USDA, including loan analysts in Farm Service Agency field offices, ag scientists, and about 1,200 staff of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, according to sources.

USDA finally has a new secretary, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is bringing his MAHA priorities to the federal government as secretary of Health and Human Services.

Almond Day * F3 on farmworkers * Rollins going to work on funding freeze * MAHA EO aims to tackle chronic disease

President Donald Trump has nominated several individuals to high-ranking posts at the Agriculture Department, including Scott Hutchins to be the new undersecretary of agriculture for research, education, and economics and Tyler Clarkson to be the department’s top lawyer.