Farm Hands

Farm Hands West: Wine Institute elects new board, Jonathan Ocampo joins ImmuCell, Creekside Organics adds Marissa Dake

grace@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 07:00:00 -0400

Wine Institute elected its new board leadership. Jonathan Ocampo is joining ImmuCell Corporation’s sales team. Creekside Organics has added Marissa Dake as its sales director.

As retirement nears, CDFA’s Ross reflects on trade, water and Prop 12

lydia@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 06:04:00 -0400

As California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross prepares to retire at the end of 2026 after more than a decade leading the nation's largest state agricultural economy, she says farmers are facing some of the toughest conditions she's seen since the 1980s farm crisis.

Farm Hands on the Potomac: Joe Goggins is new president of Livestock Marketing Association, National Corn Growers elect Bill Leigh as first vice president

grace@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 06:00:00 -0400

Joe Goggins was elected and will become president of the Livestock Marketing Association later this June. The National Corn Growers Association has elected Bill Leigh as its first vice president. Jason Tremblay is joining Intrepid Potash as CFO, starting June 15. Mike Johanns is a new strategic adviser at Avalo.

Bettencourt tapped to lead Reclamation

brad@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 08:24:04 -0400

California ag and water policy veteran Aubrey Bettencourt is expected to be nominated to lead the Bureau of Reclamation as the agency faces major decisions over Colorado River rules and federal water deliveries in the West.

Farm Hands West: James Gallagher wins special election, Ocean Spray names Sarah Gallo director of government affairs

grace@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 07:00:00 -0400

Sarah Gallo is the new director of government affairs and public policy for Ocean Spray Cranberries. The new CEO for the Center of Produce Safety is Suzanne Devereaux-McKinstrie.

Farm Hands on the Potomac: Bellinger tapped for screwworm preparedness

grace@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 06:00:00 -0400

The Trump administration announced that John Bellinger has been appointed to be the new senior adviser for New World screwworm preparedness. Nicholas Dolente has been promoted to policy adviser at USDA Rural Development. John Rich is now the special envoy for American landowners.

Farm Hands West: Newsom makes new appointments, Vieira named general manager for Kings County Water District

grace@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 07:00:00 -0400

The new general manager for Kings County Water District in California is Madalyn E. Vieira.

Farm Hands on the Potomac: USDA communications shakeup, IDFA hires Youker and Wilson, Yates departs AFBF for Farm Credit Bank of Texas

grace@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 06:00:00 -0400

The Agriculture Department named a new communications team. The International Dairy Foods Association added two staff members: Darrin Youker as director of state government relations and Cal Wilson as manager of government affairs. Ryan Yates joined Farm Credit Bank of Texas as senior vice president of government relations. Carlye Winfrey was promoted to professional staff on the Senate Ag Committee. Bill Davis joined Zoetis as the senior director and head of U.S. federal and state affairs.

Farm Hands West: Mitloehner named animal science department chair at UC Davis, Fresno Madera Farm Credit board of directors elections

lydia@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 27 May 2026 07:00:00 -0400

Frank Mitloehner was named chair of the Department of Animal Science at the University of California Davis. Dan Errotabere, Lance Shebelut and Jeff Boldt have been reelected for three-year terms on the Fresno Madera Farm Credit board of directors.

Farm Hands on the Potomac: McKeon to lead Soil Health Institute, Houston joins AFBF, Klobuchar names press secretary

lydia@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 27 May 2026 06:00:00 -0400

The American Farm Bureau Federation is adding Virginia Houston as senior director of government affairs. Ashley McKeon was named president and CEO of the Soil Health Institute. Austin Matheny-Kawesch is now press secretary for Sen. Amy Klobuchar.

Farm Hands West: Bettencourt departs NRCS, Sharma joins Sierra Club California, Bonitz takes role with California Energy Commission

lydia@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 20 May 2026 07:00:00 -0400

Sierra Club California hired Asha Sharma as deputy director. Jessica Bonitz was appointed deputy public adviser at the California Energy Commission. Natural Resources Conservation Service Chief Aubrey Bettencourt has resigned, and Colton Buckley has assumed the role of chief. California Gov. Gavin Newsom made appointments to the Gold Country and Big Fresno Fair Boards.

Austin Scott makes early case for House Ag gavel

lydia@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 20 May 2026 06:07:00 -0400

Georgia Congressman Austin Scott is positioning himself to become the next Republican leader of the House Agriculture Committee, arguing that his ties to the Trump administration, vision for enhancing farm profitability, and focus on protecting American agriculture from foreign adversaries make him the right leader to guide the panel through the prolonged downturn in the ag economy.

Farm Hands on the Potomac: Dykes to retire from IDFA, Buckley becomes NRCS Chief, Hall joins NPPC

lydia@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 20 May 2026 06:00:00 -0400

Michael Dykes will retire as president and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association at the end of the year. Natural Resources Conservation Service Chief Aubrey Bettencourt has resigned, and Colton Buckley has been elevated to lead the agency.

Farm Hands West: Tibbitts joins California Agriculture Science, Parnagian elected California Table Grape Commission chairman

lydia@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 13 May 2026 07:00:00 -0400

Justin Parnagian of Fowler Packing Company Inc. was elected chairman of the California Table Grape Commission. Jeremy Cowan was named lead senior program manager at The Livestock Conservancy. California Agriculture Science hired Spencer Tibbitts as senior research agronomist.

Farm Hands on the Potomac: Adesina joins BGR Group, Newman departs IDFA for FCA, Trujillo joins NCBA

lydia@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 13 May 2026 06:00:00 -0400

Lobbying and public affairs firm BGR Group hired Kellie Adesina as vice president in the commerce and infrastructure practice. The National Grocers Association promoted Stephanie Johnson and Laura Strange. The Farm Credit Administration named Colin Newman director of the Office of Congressional and Public Affairs. Sarah Trujillo joined the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association as associate director of policy communications.

Farm Hands West: Wine Institute promoted Rudd; Vogel group opens Western U.S. office

lydia@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 06 May 2026 07:00:00 -0400

The Wine Institute promoted Tyler Rudd to vice president of state relations. Vogel Group is opening the firm’s first office in the Western U.S. led by Linley Wilson. Kate Folmar of Sacramento was appointed deputy secretary for communications and external affairs at the California Environmental Protection Agency.

Farm Hands on the Potomac: Bridgforth leaves EPA for CFTC, McLean goes from Senate Ag to Missouri Soybeans

lydia@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 06 May 2026 06:00:00 -0400

Turner Bridgforth has left the Environmental Protection Agency for the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Carley Esser McLean departed the Senate Ag Committee to join Missouri Soybeans. John Franz, known as the scientist who discovered glyphosate, has died at 96.

Farm Hands West: Elliott appointed to California Water Commission, Sens. Padilla & Schiff name new staff

lydia@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 07:06:00 -0400

Nicole Elliott was appointed to the California Water Commission. Marie Ussery was appointed to the California Veterinary Medical Board. California Sen. Adam Schiff hired Sami Eastton as a field representative.

Farm Hands on the Potomac: DMI names new officers, Griffin joins NCFC

lydia@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0400

Dairy Management Inc., the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board and the United Dairy Industry Association elected new officers to guide the national dairy checkoff. The National Council of Farmer Cooperatives hired Danielle Griffin as communications manager.

Former House Ag Committee Chairman David Scott dies at age 80

lydia@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 13:50:10 -0400

Congressman David Scott of Georgia, a staunch advocate of nutrition assistance programs and the USDA 1890 National Scholars Program who was the first Black lawmaker to chair the House Ag Committee, died Tuesday. He was 80.

Farm Hands West: Williams joins CalEPA, de la Garza joins California Department of Fish and Wildlife

lydia@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0400

Cacilie Williams joined the California Environmental Protection Agency as special assistant to the secretary at the CalEPA. Newsom also appointed Alicia de la Garza as deputy director of public affairs at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife

Farm Hands on the Potomac: Clark to lead sugarbeet growers, Malitz joins ag employers executive committee

lydia@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0400

The American Sugarbeet Growers Association named Zack Clark as incoming CEO and executive vice president. Kate Thompson joined the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association as director of government affairs. Danielle Cummins joined Farm Credit East as legislative affairs officer. The National Council of Agricultural Employers elected Jeanne Malitz to the executive committee as secretary.

Farm Hands West: Driscoll’s hires Vetter, Frye joins International Boundary and Water Commission

lydia@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0400

Driscoll’s appointed Darci Vetter as vice president of public affairs. Tony Frye was named the deputy commissioner for public and congressional affairs for the U.S. section of the International Boundary and Water Commission. Maryam Brown, the chief executive officer of SoCalGas, resigned.

Farm Hands on the Potomac: Sowder returns to Senate Ag, McClain joins IDFA

lydia@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0400

The Senate Agriculture Committee promoted Corey Brown Weber to deputy staff director and hired Skylar Sowder as policy director. The International Dairy Foods Association hired Maggie McClain as vice president of communications. Driscoll’s appointed Darci Vetter as vice president of public affairs.

Farm Hands West: Beach becomes chairman of Grower-Shipper Association of Central California, Brian Church & DUDA recognized with awards

lydia@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0400

The Grower-Shipper Association of Central California named Greg Beach as chairman. The House Agriculture Committee has a new member: California Republican Rep. David Valadao.

Farm Hands on the Potomac: Knapke joins Center for American Progress, Animal Health Institute hires Hart, Valadao joins House Ag Committee

lydia@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0400

The Animal Health Institute hired Ellen Hart as vice president of regulatory affairs. The House Agriculture Committee has a new member: California Republican Rep. David Valadao.

Farm Hands West: Naturipe Farms staff hires & promotions, Knopf departs The Raley’s Cos., Drake promoted at California Natural Resources Agency

lydia@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0400

Naturipe Farms hired Samantha Carrico and promoted Joe Klick and Brian Vertrees. The Raley’s Cos. president and CEO Keith Knopf has departed the organization. Madeline Drake of Sacramento was appointed deputy secretary for biodiversity and habitat at the California Natural Resources Agency.

Farm Hands on the Potomac: New staff at USW, Diebel elected president of Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association

lydia@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0400

U.S. Wheat Associates promoted Luke Muller to market analyst and hired Kate Stephens as assistant director and Tereza Edwards as assistant program manager. Scott Reasons, head of Syngenta Professional Solutions North America, will retire on May 31, and will be succeeded by Dave Ravel.

Farm Hands West: Silveira named Grimmway Produce Group CEO, Rep. Harder names new chief of staff

lydia@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 07:00:00 -0400

California Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed Rhonalyn Cabello to be deputy director of the office of public affairs at the California Department of Resources, Recycling and Recovery. Grimmway Produce Group named Ken Silveira as chief executive officer. Sunkist added two new leadership staff members: Joshua Carr as director of procurement and Stephen Sheldon as director of global business development.

Farm Hands on the Potomac: Mott next Izaak Walton League leader, Moser named Kansas State ag dean

lydia@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 06:00:00 -0400

The Izaak Walton League named Jared Mott executive director, Dan Moser was appointed the Eldon Gideon Dean of Kansas State's College of Agriculture and many more names in the news.