USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) appoints Lance Honig as Chair of USDA’s Agricultural Statistics Board, as well as the Methodology Division Director. Honig has served in an acting capacity for both roles since November 2023. As the chair, he will lead the preparation and dissemination of market-sensitive agricultural forecasts and estimates.
The American Farm Bureau Federation urged USDA to reverse its decision to cancel livestock and crop surveys that are crucial to the success of America’s farmers and ranchers. The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) recently announced it would no longer provide a July cattle inventory survey, as well as county-level estimates for crops and livestock and the objective yield survey for cotton.
Farm Journal Foundation welcomes new Farmer Ambassadors and two new staff members to the team. Sarah Tweeten is new Farmer Ambassador from Iowa, and Brad and Joyce Doyle are new Farmer Ambassadors from Arkansas. Karleigh Creighton, who recently worked as senior producer at RFA-TV, is new Communications and Events Manager, while Larissa Villegas joins as a staff Communications and Programs Coordinator.
Growing a resilient food supply has never been easy but it’s even more difficult when you have a variety of weather, labor, water and environmental challenges. That’s the topic for the Agri-Pulse Food & Ag Issues Summit on June 4, 2024 at the Sheraton Grand in Sacramento, CA.
The Renewable Fuels Association announced the addition of Carbogenesis and Octent Automation to its distinguished group of associate members. This expansion signifies the RFA’s ongoing dedication to broadening its network with organizations that are at the forefront of technological and environmental advancements within the renewable fuels industry.
The National Pork Producers Council announced several staff updates to enhance the organization’s advocacy efforts. Andy Curliss will join the organization as vice president of strategic engagement, effective April 22, 2024. In this new role, Curliss will lead a range of efforts focused on expanding the reach and influence of the U.S. pork industry. Maria C. Zieba has been officially appointed vice president of government affairs. Chase Adams has been promoted from senior director to assistant vice president of domestic policy.
Six of the nation’s major commodity groups, including the National Corn Growers Association, sent a letter to the U.S. International Trade Commission encouraging it to vote negative in advancing a petition by Corteva Agribusiness to place antidumping and countervailing duties on imports of the herbicide 2,4-D shipped from India and China.
Alltech announced a new marketing structure designed to better serve both the company’s customers and the needs of its internal teams. These new roles and responsibilities will allow for increased agility in meeting stakeholder needs while cultivating closer alignment and collaboration across Alltech’s U.S. business.
Meyocks, a leading branding and marketing agency, hires Marcie Garcia to lead its strategy function. In her new role, Garcia is responsible for brand strategy work across the agency’s roster of food, agriculture, health, and mentor brands. Garcia joins Meyocks with more than a decade of agency experience, including roles at TBWA/Chiat/Day, Wunderman Thompson and McCann. In that time, she built an impressive portfolio of work for global brands such as Amazon, KFC, Moderna, Nestlè, T-Mobile and The Hunger Project.
C.O.nxt announced two recent promotions on their team of employee-owners. Brandon Maly and Cheryl DeShambo have both been promoted to the role of account supervisor.
Torrey Advisory Group, a boutique lobbying firm specializing in food, agriculture, and forestry issues, welcomes Nona McCoy as a Vice President on the policy team. McCoy’s 25 years of bicameral, bipartisan congressional experience will elevate the firm’s services in appropriations support and provide TAG clients with a strategic approach for engaging Congress and federal agencies.
The American Pecan Promotion Board has selected Signal Theory as its agency partner for a consumer retail and communications campaign to drive demand and consumption of pecans not just during the holidays, but year-round. The announcement comes just in time for National Pecan Month, an industry-wide celebration held each April to showcase the versatility and nutritional benefits of American pecans.
