Articles by Lydia Johnson

Georgia, the Carolinas and eastern Tennessee are facing severe damage from category four Hurricane Helene that made landfall in Florida’s panhandle Thursday flattening crops, destroying infrastructure and taking over 130 lives in the storm’s destructive path. 

Jake Li, who has led EPA’s efforts to comply with the Endangered Species Act, is moving to the Fish and Wildlife Service where he will take a lead role on endangered species conservation. NASDA elected new leadership at the group’s annual meeting in Indianapolis, including tapping Arkansas Department of Agriculture Secretary Wes Ward as the 2024-2025 president. 

Illinois farmer Kenny Hartman assumed the role of NCGA president on Oct. 1. Whit Fosburgh joined the National Fish and Wildlife as chief development officer. Patty Cormier was elected president of the National Association of State Foresters. 

Parts of Georgia, the Carolinas and Tennessee are experiencing devastating crop and farm damage from Hurricane Helene, which touched land on Florida’s panhandle Thursday.

Twelve House members today are introducing a $14 billion disaster aid bill to compensate producers for weather-related losses in 2022 and 2023.

Matthew Hayes joined the Fresh Produce & Floral Council as a program and events director. He fills the role of Emma McBride Taylor, who served as the event and communications specialist for the past five years. 

Dümmen Orange North America hired Sarah Thompson as western region sales manager and Michelle McElhannon, Ph.D. as the new technical specialist. Tim Clark was promoted to United States national sales manager. Chef, cookbook author and television show host Pati Jinich was named as the first avocado cooking ambassador for Avocados From Mexico.

The National Farmers Union has named Chase Kusel director of communications. Anne Knapke joined the Meridian Institute as a senior director. She has been at USDA since 2021. 

FMC president Darren Dillenbeck was elected to a two-year team as chair of the CropLife America board of directors. Fifth-generation Colorado rancher Tim Canterbury was elected president of the Public Lands Council. Torrey Advisory Group hired Grace Walker as a member and events manager. 

The chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, Jason Smith, is our guest on Agri-Pulse Newsmakers this week. He talks about the tax issues facing Congress next year, and the differences between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris when it comes to trade as well as tax policy.

The 54th class of the California Agricultural Leadership Program – an advanced leadership development experience for emerging, mid-career leaders in agriculture – has been announced. The 24 individuals will go through a 17-month intensive program with some 55 seminar days, including a 10-day national travel seminar and a 14-day international travel seminar.

The Rancho California Water District board appointed Jason Martin general manager. Tara Sweeney joined the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources – UCANR – supporting F3Local. The Conservation Lands Foundation tapped Chris Hill as CEO. The Environmental Council of the States tapped Jon Niermann as the group’s next president. 

“Don't learn safety by accident” is the theme of the weeklong observance reinforcing that all workplace incidents are preventable and recognizing the contributions of America’s farmers, ranchers and farmworkers ahead of harvest. 

Former Senate Ag Committee chief economist John Newton is joining Terrain where he will lead a team of economists and analysts. Jamila Thompson was appointed chief of staff and Jon Hurst was promoted to special advisor for agriculture for United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai.

Darryl Blakey joined BASF as manager of government affairs. Emma Scott was appointed director of the food and agriculture clinic at Vermont Law and Graduate School. The Conservation Lands Foundation tapped Chris Hill as CEO. The World Shipping Council appointed Tamekia Flack as director of U.S. government relations.