In Washington's corridors of agricultural influence, a wave of transitions is reshaping advocacy, governance, and the mission driving U.S. farming.

MattGrill joins SNAC International as vice president of advocacy, taking the lead on the snack industry's policy agenda in Congress and federal agencies. Grill previously served as senior director of congressional relations for the National Pork Producers Council and held earlier roles at George Washington University and in the U.S. Senate.

In the commodity space, Ohio corn and soybean farmer Jed Bower becomes the new president of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA). A lotime NCGA leader, Bower chaired the resolutions committee, served on the finance committee, and previously acted as liaison to the National Pork Producers Council and the Waterways Council. He is also a past president of the Ohio Corn and Wheat Growers Association.

Meanwhile, the USDA has tapped former HUD Secretary Ben Carson as national adviser on nutrition, health, and housing. Secretary Brooke Rollins emphasized Carson's experience and role in implementing rural health investments and advising on America First policies.

At the grassroots level, the Family Farm Alliance elected its 2026 leadership team. Mark Hansen of Washington was named president, joined by Clinton Pine (Idaho) as first vice president, Nate Eckloff (Nebraska) as second vice president, and Marc Thalacker (Oregon) as treasurer. Don Schwindt of Colorado was appointed chairman of the board.

Among congressional staffing moves, Nick Paster joins the House Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee as trade counsel, with prior experience at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. Grant Fitzgerald is promoted to senior vice president of farm and ranch management at Farmers National Co., where he will lead over 100 professional farm managers nationwide.

In agribusiness, Jason Henshaw becomes vice president and general manager at Perdue Specialty Meats, following his tenure as founder and CEO of Zeal Creamery. At Foster Farms, Riz Akbar steps in as chief commercial officer, bringing experience from major food and marketing companies.

In policy roles, Bebe Anver becomes general counsel for Sen. Alex Padilla, following senior advisory roles on immigration policy. Graham Markiewicz joins UNICEF USA as assistant director of global policy, while Melissa Rekeweg is named CEO of the Agribusiness Council of Indiana, after leading major ag-education efforts nationally.

On Capitol Hill, staffing updates include Lauren Kaldenberg as legislative assistant for Rep. Mike Bost, covering agriculture and energy; Emilio Contreras joins Rep. Zoe Lofgren's team on similar issues; Mariah Kessler, formerly of the South Dakota Soybean Council, now serves with Sen. Mike Rounds; and Jackie Weyerhaeuser, a recent Yale graduate, becomes executive assistant to Rep. Angie Craig.

In the legal sector, Seth Barsky, formerly with the Department of Justice's Environment and Natural Resources Division, joins Bracewell LLP as a partner, offering expertise on permitting, litigation, and interagency coordination in federal environmental law.

In organizational leadership, Shannon Latham, an Iowa state representative and ag-business owner, is now executive director of the Iowa FFA Foundation.

Yet the most poignant transition is the passing of Fred Kirschenmann, a pioneer in sustainable agriculture, who died at age 90. Known for merging soil science, philosophy, and organic farming, Kirschenmann led the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University and was founding president of the Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture. He spent decades shaping the sustainable farming narrative and inspired policy on soil health, regenerative practices, and ethical agriculture.

Kirschenmann's legacy marks a turning point for the future of sustainable farming, reminding the industry of the values rooted in resilience, stewardship, and loterm land health.