Farm Bill

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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.

The 2024 election is six days away. Several House districts that are represented by Ag Committee members or have significant agricultural production could be key to determining control of the chamber.

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.

Broad acre crops are planted on the majority of America’s farmland and have long been at the forefront of ag policy debates. However, significant numbers of high-value vegetable, fruit and flower growers across the U.S. are ready to increase their impact on policy issues – both in the U.S. and around the globe. 

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.

Partnership staff are integral to the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s strategy to meet an expected surge in demand for conservation planning and design work after seeing a $19.5 billion infusion into conservation programs through the Inflation Reduction Act.

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.