Lydia Johnson

The new communications director for the Senate Ag Committee GOP staff has been named. Raymond Dobert joined Harambe Ag Consulting as a principal. Ethan Matthews was promoted to vice president of government affairs at Wilbur-Ellis.

The National FFA Organization announced six individuals selected to serve on the 2024-25 officer team. Grace Howe will assume the role of executive director at the Wisconsin Agri-Business Association on Nov. 1. The Biotechnology Innovation Organization hired Karin Hoelzer as senior director of patient advocacy.

Global avocado and fresh produce company Calavo Growers hired Anna Kirsch as director of business development. The California Ag Leadership Foundation honored Carlos Castañeda of San Luis Obispo County and Steve McShane of Monterey County as 2024 Profiles in Leadership Award recipients. 

Church Brothers Farms hired Tracy Carranza as vice president of retail sales. Stephen Farmer is the new chief administrative officer for the Westlands Water District. Westfalia Fruit Group tapped Chris Bush as CEO effective Oct. 28.

Matthew Jaffe was tapped as acting assistant United States trade representative for trade policy coordination. The American Soybean Association promoted Blair Shipp to state policy communications manager.

The National 4-H Council hired Natalie Godwin as vice president of corporate communications. The Meat Institute elected key new officers, executive board members and its full board of directors members for 2025. Corteva appointed Judd O’Connor as executive vice president of the Seed Business Unit effective December 1.

In what appears to be a response to claims amplified by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. about the dangers of modern agriculture, nearly 270 farm groups from across the country are warning leaders of the House and Senate Agriculture committees about the importance of inputs such as pesticides.

Wakefern Food Corp. hired Mark Van Buskirk to the group’s leadership team as vice president of fresh. Stefanie Katzman was tapped as CEO of her family’s company, Katzman.

Hurricane Milton, the fourth hurricane to strike Florida agriculture in 14 months, damaged citrus and other specialty crops as well as dairy operations and phosphate infrastructure.

The International Dairy Foods Association made two staff changes. Samuel Alcaine, Ph.D., was hired as Vice President of Regulatory and Scientific Affairs and Jeffrey Cullen was hired as director of video production and digital communications. The Renewable Fuels Association elected new officers. Jeff Oestmann, CEO of Aztalan Bio, was elected chair. 

Harley Janssen is the new director of outputs and measurements at the National Corn Growers Association. He will focus on translating and interpreting production and sustainability data to help growers access new sustainability markets. Brent Boydston started Ag Center Solutions, his own consulting firm. Stefanie Katzman was tapped as CEO of her family’s company, Katzman. 

Hurricane Helene had an estimated $6.46 billion impact on Georgia’s agriculture industry, according to preliminary reports announced by Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper. 

Category Five Hurricane Milton is set to make landfall in the Tampa and St. Petersburg area late Wednesday or early Thursday. It will be the fourth hurricane to strike the Florida farming community in 14 months.