Brad Hooker named Sacramento bureau chief for Agri-Pulse

Brad Hooker, who has been leading Agri-Pulse Communications’ coverage of food and agriculture policy in California since 2019, has been named the company’s first Sacramento bureau chief.

Hooker pioneered Agri-Pulse’s weekly in-depth newsletter coverage of California lawmakers and key agency regulators and produces Agri-Pulse Daybreak West each weekday. He explores the state’s most complex and challenging policy issues including labor, water, crop protection, technology, the environment and much more. Agri-Pulse expanded coverage of California legislative and regulatory issues this year with the addition of Associate Editor Chloe Lovejoy.

“Brad’s coverage of the California Legislature and state regulatory agencies has become critical to our readers in the nation’s No. 1 agriculture state. But the actions of California policymakers and courts are increasingly important to our readers all across the country as well,” said Agri-Pulse Editor in Chief Philip Brasher. “Now, Brad is leading a vital expansion of our team coverage in California.”

Before joining Agri-Pulse, Hooker was a science writer and content editor for the University of California, Davis, Graduate School of Management. He also was communications director for the UC Davis World Food Center where he worked with global thought leaders in sustainable agriculture, nutrition and ag technology to elevate emerging science and inform policy. Previously, he covered climate research and high-energy particle physics. 

Hooker has a master’s degree in magazine journalism from the University of Oregon and a bachelor’s degree in English and broadcast communication from Flagler College.