Lydia Johnson

Melissa Koshlaychuck has joined Western Growers as a California government affairs analyst. G. Rey Reinhardt was named president of the J.R. Simplot Co. AgriBusiness Group. Rod Snyder, former top agricultural adviser at EPA, has launched his own consulting firm.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is best known for space exploration, but the organization’s data is also publicly used for an array of purposes to support agriculture, including monitoring crop production, field conditions and global food security. 

Former top ag advisor at the EPA Rod Snyder launched his own consulting firm, Junction Strategies. NASDA hired Patrick Wade as a policy director. Ag policy veteran and current National Council of Farmer Cooperatives leader Chuck Conner announced Monday he will retire at the end of 2025.

The National Chicken Council named Harrison Kircher president and CEO effective Jan. 1. John Altendorf was promoted to legislative director in the office of House Ag Committee member Rep. Brad Finstad, R-Minn. The National Corn Growers Association hired Becky Langer-Curry as director of inputs and innovation. 

Indiana farmer and retired Army Col. Joe Ricker was recognized by the American Farm Bureau Federation and Farm Credit for his work supporting veterans through agriculture. 

The San Joaquin Tributaries Authority named Andree Lee as the organization’s first executive director. Michael Bliss was promoted to director of grower services at California Citrus Mutual

Mission Produce promoted Brooke Becker to senior vice president of sales. Ryan Krabill joined the Oregon Farm Bureau as a government affairs manager. Kenneth Connolly joined the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee's Democratic staff as a senior policy adviser. 

Ag policy veteran Kellie Bray is joining the Global Farmer Network as director of partnerships while also starting her own business, KBray Consulting. Patrick Creamer has officially retired from his post as communications director for the Senate Agriculture Committee.

Andrew Walmsley joined the Council of Producers and Distributors of Agrotechnology as vice president of government relations. Sanah Baig is the new White House senior policy advisor for agriculture and nutrition. 

Thirteen World Food Prize laureates, including 2024 honoree Geoffrey Hawtin, issued a statement Wednesday calling global hunger the “big issue being overlooked” in U.S. elections.

I Love Produce announced new leadership. Adrian Almeida is the new CEO and Eric Frasse was promoted to president. The International Fresh Produce Association announced the 29th leadership program class. Launched in 1995, more than 330 individuals have participated in the year-long advocacy, communications and leadership development program. 

Dick Peixoto, owner of Lakeside Organic Gardens, was named the 2024 organic grower of the year. Metro announced that François Thibault will retire in the spring of 2025.

Hurricane Milton caused widespread destruction to Florida’s nursery infrastructure and crops, including damaged poinsettia plants that could lead to holiday season shortages.