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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.

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. 

The Natural Resources Conservation Service is up to 11,709 full-time staff, a level not seen in over a decade, amid its efforts to roll out $19.5 billion in additional conservation funding provided through the Inflation Reduction Act.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service is gaining ground in its fight to recruit enough staff to handle an infusion of additional conservation dollars while staving off the impacts brought on by a seemingly endless stream of retirements and job changes.

Michael Papaleo has transitioned from executive vice president and chief procurement officer to strategic advisor for the coming year at C&S Wholesale Grocers. Mark McGowan was promoted to lead C&S’s merchandising organization and Andrew Connell was promoted to lead procurement, demand planning and inbound planning.

Valley Milk added Ron O’Brien to staff as a commodity risk management advisor. Fresh Taste Produce CEO Sal Sarraino died on Sept. 24.