Items Tagged with 'National Council of Farmer Cooperatives'

Duane Simpson, who took over as president and CEO of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives last year, talks about the structural challenges facing agriculture, including the shifts in nutrition policy and messaging that resulted from the MAHA movement.

The American Soybean Association elected new members to its board of directors, including Ohio grower Scott Metzger as 2026 ASA president. The American Farm Bureau Federation hired Autumn Lankford Higgins as director of government affairs. Sustainable aviation fuel developer Gevo tapped Paul Bloom as CEO and a director on the company’s board. Pivot Bio announced additions to the senior management team, including Shekar Govindaswamy as principal scientist.

Cue the crocodile tears, but it ain’t easy being the CEO of a nonprofit trade association.

Farm groups and other USDA stakeholders are raising concerns about the impact the Trump administration’s reorganization plan will have on agencies and personnel. The planned closure of a major research center in suburban Maryland and the department’s plan to consolidate staff in five regional hubs also are drawing some opposition.

The Trump administration’s goal of deporting as many immigrants as possible is colliding with the farm industry’s dependence on undocumented labor, leading to a clash of competing interests.

Hermosa Beach city council member Ray Jackson was appointed to the South Coast seat on the California Coastal Commission. Duane Simpson, vice president and head of North America public affairs, science and sustainability in Bayer's Crop Science Division, is succeeding Chuck Conner as president and CEO of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives.

 Kapi Kapi Growers hired Marissa Geoffroy as director of supply chain. Jennifer Clever is now senior director of the Asia and Pacific Division in the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service Office of Trade Policy and Geographical Affairs.

Bayer Vice President Duane Simpson was named to succeed Chuck Conner as the next president and CEO of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives. 

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. 

A wide range of commodity groups demanded Saturday that lawmakers oppose a stopgap spending bill unless it includes economic assistance for farmers. The demands raise the stakes for congressional leaders.