On February 4, 2026, the U.S. agriculture sector witnessed a sweeping shift in leadership, with high-level appointments across law firms, commodity groups, federal agencies, and agribusiness powerhouses. These changes, affecting OFW Law, USDA, NAWG, John Deere, and several national co-ops and councils, are poised to influence how the ag sector navigates policy, regulation, and market demands in a pivotal year.

OFW Law added two respected USDA veterans to its legal and regulatory team. Jeff Canavan, a seasoned food technologist and registered dietitian, joins as senior policy adviser. After nearly 25 years at the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), most recently as deputy director of labeling and program delivery, Canavan played a key role in nutrition labeling, allergen policy, date labeling, and Codex standards. His work helped shape how food products are presented and regulated, both domestically and internationally.

Jamie Woodside, a former FDA regulatory counsel and longtime FSIS expert, comes aboard as associate attorney. Her portfolio includes recall management, import/export oversight, HACCP policy, and acting as FSIS lead on World Trade Organization matters. Together, Canavan and Woodside enhance OFW's legal bench with deep experience in food law and regulatory systems.

Estas contrataciones reflejan un impulso más amplio hacia el fortalecimiento de la estrategia legal en torno al etiquetado de alimentos, el cumplimiento internacional y las reclamaciones regulatorias, fundamentales a medida que aumentan las presiones de transparencia.

In the policy sphere, Invariant promoted Ken Barbic to chair its food and agriculture practice. A veteran of USDA congressional relations under the Trump administration and former leader at Western Growers, Barbic brings two decades of ag policy and trade negotiation experience.

Meanwhile, John Deere tapped Amy Swonger as its new director of government affairs. Once the White House's top liaison to the Senate, Swonger's arrival signals Deere's intent to remain a central voice in federal agriculture policy discussions.

Further west, Jamie Kress, a wheat grower from eastern Idaho, was elected president of the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG). She and her husband operate an 8,500-acre dryland operation focused on wheat and rotational crops like canola and chickpeas. Kress, the former head of the Idaho Grain Producers Association, is a longtime leader within NAWG circles.

As NAWG president, Kress becomes one of the few women to lead a national commodity group-her election marks a generational and gender shift in U.S. farm leadership.

She will be joined by new officers Nathan Keane (VP, Montana), Chris Tanner (Treasurer, Kansas), and Auston Andersen (Secretary, Colorado), beginning their terms following the 2026 Commodity Classic.

In the frozen food space, Adrienne Seiling was named COO of the American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI). With nearly two decades of association leadership, Seiling has helped expand AFFI-CON, boost member engagement, and lead strategy and communications.

In sweet potatoes, Sarah Alvernaz of California Sweet Potato Growers was elected president of the U.S. Sweet Potato Council, while Thomas Joyner of Nash Produce (NC) will serve as vice president. The Council's operations will now be managed by DTB AgriTrade, with Michael Skahill as executive director and Anne Zaczek as managing director.

Over at the U.S. Dairy Export Council, Kari Kwiatkowski was promoted to senior vice president of operations, a recognition of her 21 years of dedication to global dairy strategy.

In livestock, Country Natural Beef, a rancher-owned cooperative, named Tanner Beymer its new executive director of membership. With a decade of experience at the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, Beymer brings policy depth and a strong co-op background.

Clint Hagen, a Michigan farmer and trucking business owner, was elected president of the American Sugarbeet Growers Association. His sixth-generation farm manages over 4,000 acres of sugarbeets, white wheat, and edible beans, and recently expanded into cattle.

The American Coalition for Ethanol named Troy Knecht (South Dakota) its 2026 president, with Chris Studer, Ron Alverson, and John Christianson also taking roles in the executive committee.

On the agribusiness side, Chris Reynolds was appointed EVP of global sales at Nutrien, unifying leadership across wholesale and retail sales for the ag input giant.

Ten Acre Marketing added new talent: Joelle Orem, an Indiana farmer and former Farm Journal team member, joins as account manager. Matheus Spinelli steps in as creative director, and James Drewicke as account coordinator.

At Cotton Incorporated, Bev Sylvester will take on the newly created role of Chief Marketing Officer, tasked with growing demand for U.S. cotton through global brand strategy. Her background spans leadership roles in consumer goods and textile marketing.

Samantha Ayoub will serve as director of workforce and business policy at IFPA, focusing on labor, logistics, and immigration as they impact the fresh produce and floral industries.
Weston Schrader, a Kansas State grad, was named manager of industry relations at the Kansas Beef Council.
Natalie Turner was hired as communications director for Rep. Ron Estes (R-Kan.), following her tenure with the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

Finally, USDA appointed 42 members and 4 alternates to the United Soybean Board, representing farmers from 30 states and two regions. These producers will serve three-year terms and direct investments in research, marketing, and international outreach.

These leadership shifts reflect a broad recalibration in how U.S. agriculture is governed, promoted, and defended-at home and abroad. As regulatory scrutiny rises, trade challenges deepen, and sustainability demands grow louder, the people stepping into these roles will be key to shaping the sector's next decade.