In the presence of U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield and U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small, the UN General Assembly declared 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer. The resolution, and the U.S. government’s efforts to generate support for it, were spearheaded by USDA and garnered more than 100 co-sponsors, underscoring the global importance of uplifting women throughout the agriculture sector.
Agriculture Future of America announces new board leadership. For the past two years, the board has been led by Gwyn Schramm, North America Talent and Human Resources Lead at Bayer Crop Science. In March, Schramm’s term ended, and AFA welcomed Scott Kay, Vice President, BASF Agricultural Solutions, as the new board chair.
The International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) named 10 outstanding young agricultural journalists to receive the IFAJ/Alltech Young Leaders Award. The awards will be presented at IFAJ’s Global Congress in Interlaken, Switzerland, in August 2024.
Syngenta Group sales for the first quarter of 2024 were $7.4 billion, down $1.8 billion or 20 percent compared to a strong first quarter 2023. Syngenta Crop Protection sales in the first quarter 2024 fell by 24 percent to $3.2 billion compared with a very strong first quarter 2023. Syngenta’s Crop Protection, driver of approximately 40 percent of Syngenta Group’s sales, declined amidst a still challenging crop protection market. Syngenta Seeds overall was 8 percent lower than in the first quarter last year.
Agri-Pulse is pleased to promote Executive Editor Philip Brasher to the position of Editor-in-Chief, effective May 1. He will be responsible for overseeing the entire editorial team for daily, weekly and special project coverage.
Brownfield Ag News is pleased to announce Erin Anderson has joined the Brownfield team as Anchor/Reporter for Indiana and Ohio. She is a former NAFB Foundation scholarship recipient and a two-time NAFB Foundation intern. Erin currently resides in rural Rankin, Illinois with plans to move to the Greater Lafayette, Indiana area.
AGCO Corporation is excited to announce the eighth annual Massey Ferguson Sowing Good Deeds contest. The award recognizes charitable services, civic involvement and educational activities of local Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association (PRCA) rodeo committees to their schools, towns and the greater ag community. Nominations for 2024 are now open and will run through September 1, 2024. Finalists will be announced October 11, 2024, with the grand prize winner named at the PRCA Awards Banquet in Las Vegas, Nevada, on December 4, 2024. The winning rodeo committee receives a new Massey Ferguson 4700 Series tractor, valued at over $60,000, as part of the prize package.
The Georgia Peanut Commission’s referendum received reaffirmation with a vote of 91.99 percent during the recent referendum, held March 8 through April 8, 2024.
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is announcing a staff change in their Washington, D.C. office. Sigrid Johannes, currently serving as Director of the Public Lands Council and NCBA Government Affairs, has been promoted to Senior Director of Government Affairs. Along with this promotion, Sigrid will take on a new portfolio including lab-grown meat, cattle health and welfare, food safety, and animal disease traceability.
The Corn Refiners Association announced the hiring of Shawna Newsome as its Vice President of Food Policy. In this role, Newsome will leverage her years of expertise in food and agriculture policy to deliver science-based solutions for CRA’s members in the legislative and regulatory arena and represent the organization in critical coalitions.
A long-time veteran of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Casey Bean will join the American Sugar Alliance (ASA) as the organization’s trade consultant on May 1. Bean will work with ASA to analyze the complex global trade issues that impact U.S. sugar farmers and shape America’s no-cost sugar policy.
The SCN Coalition’s National Nematode Day campaign, sponsored by BASF, Bayer, Nufarm and Syngenta, took home first place in the Unique Sponsorship Campaign category at the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) “Best of NAMA” awards show.
The North American Millers Association, U.S. Wheat Associates, National Association of Wheat Growers, and American Bakers Association are joining the Celebration of Modern Agriculture on the National Mall near the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) headquarters on May 6, 7, and 8, 2024. The event will showcase the constant improvement in American agriculture from farmers, ranchers, equipment manufacturers, and input innovators on the cutting-edge of science and technology.
The California Walnut Board (CWB) and California Walnut Commission (CWC) are pleased to announce that Christine Lott has been named director of integrated communications. As Director of Integrated Communications, Christine will work proactively to help drive more visibility to activate sales for California walnuts.
