Agri-Pulse Open Mic Interview

This week's Open Mic guest is National Farmers Union President Rob Larew. The group wrapped up their 124th annual convention last week in New Orleans and he says the challenges facing family farmers and ranchers continue to grow more complex. Delegates approved special orders of business targeting family farmers and the future of food and agriculture policy. Larew says additional farm assistance from Washington could ease financial stress for some farm operators, but more investments are needed to build value-added domestic demand. NFU supports government investigations into farm input costs and industry consolidation as well as continuing the USMCA trade agreement.

This week's Open Mic guest is Deanna Kovar, President, Agriculture and Turf Division of John Deere. On the sidelines of this year's Commodity Classic, Kovar shared the company's efforts to assist farmers with precision agriculture solutions for their sustainability and productivity goals. She says the company supports regenerative agriculture and renewable fuels, utilizing both ethanol and biodiesel in their engines. Like farmers, Kovar says John Deere hopes for a new farm bill, successful trade agreements, regulatory relief and tariff deals. Sales are expected to be challenged this year, but Kovar sees signs of stability moving forward.

This week's Open Mic guest is Christy Seyfert, CEO and President of the Farm Credit Council. In this interview, Seyfert explains how a diversity of revenue streams is helping some farmers weather the challenging economic climate of high input costs and low commodity prices, along with enhanced crop insurance tools. Looking ahead, Seyfert discusses why a new farm bill, including updated levels for loan guarantees, is so important during challenging economic times. She also shares resources to help farmers and lenders address mental health challenges.

This week's Open Mic guest is Ted McKinney, CEO of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture. Following the group's Winter Policy Conference, McKinney says state ag leaders are hoping Congress can make progress on a new farm bill. The group's policy priorities include pesticide regulations, labor policy reform, regional food procurement as well as livestock disease preparedness and traceability. He also explains why state ag leaders support renewing the USMCA trade accord.

This week's Open Mic guest is Florian Schattenmann, Chief Technology Officer for Cargill. A younger generation of consumers is making greater demands on the food production system from the fields to the products offered on grocery store shelves.  Schattenmann says artificial intelligence is helping their scientists more efficiently analyze data around food production, protein demands and bring the desired changes that both farmers and consumers are striving for. Cargill was named to Fortune's 2025 Change the World List and received the 2026 BIG Innovation Award for AI and data driven innovation.

This week's Open Mic guest is Cathy Burns, CEO of the International Fresh Produce Association. Specialty crop growers face economic headwinds of rising input costs, a lack of available labor, and a loss of revenue. Burns and members of the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance are appealing to Congress to find additional financial support for growers across all 50 states. She explains why IFPA supports the new Dietary Guidelines and the impact they will have on government feeding programs and the health and well being of all Americans.

This week's Open Mic guest is USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden who explains significant strides toward the reorganization of the Agriculture Department. Vaden shares the challenges of occupancy and maintenance at current buildings, including the Beltsville research facility. He also reviews how bridge assistance funds will be distributed to farmers, outlines upgrades to USDA technology, and says there will be increased dialogue and review over agency crop reports.

This week's Open Mic guest is Florida Congresswoman Kat Cammack. The 3rd district representative says the proposed $1-billion dollars of Bridge Assistance for specialty crop and sugar farmers is significantly deficient to meet losses suffered by those producers. Cammack says a review of USMCA this summer should include better protection for fruit and vegetable producers in her state. She also addresses farm labor concerns and says she is exploring actions related to ingredient transparency.

This week's Open Mic guest is House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Angie Craig. Before the release of the Farm and Family Freedom Act framework last week, the Minnesota Democrat spoke with Agri-Pulse on the sidelines of the American Farm Bureau Federation  convention. Craig expressed dismay with ICE raids in Minnesota and discussed the impacts on farm labor. Craig says her members are willing to compromise on a new farm bill this year,  but will not accept certain types of legislation such as language dealing with pesticide labeling. She also discusses the new dietary guidelines.

This week's Open Mic guest is Alison Bodor, president and CEO of the American Frozen Food Institute. Bodor says AFFI is pleased with the call for more whole and nutrient dense foods in the new dietary guidelines because frozen foods offer exceptional food quality, nutrition and less food waste. She explains other advantages of the frozen category and why AFFI is hopeful for a new farm bill with opportunities for frozen foods. Bodor also shares industry concerns over a patchwork of state regulations on food labels and food packaging.