Lydia Johnson

1 week ago | agri-pulse.com | Lydia Johnson

The Port of Oakland named Andre Basler director of utilities. In the newly created executive level position, he will be responsible for the Port’s Utilities Division which is upgrading port facilities and adjusting to a zero emission goal. Basler will lead the division’s activities including short- and long-term strategic planning, infrastructure management and compliance. Basler was assistant general manager of engineering and operations at Alameda Municipal Power.

1 week ago | agri-pulse.com | Lydia Johnson

The Agriculture Department announced a slate of new political appointments, including many names familiar to the food and agriculture community: Trey Forsyth, Kelsey Barnes, Bill Beam and Tucker Stewart, among others. Maggie Linden was named senior adviser for marketing and regulatory programs. She previously worked in government relations for food and ag clients. Bailey Archey was named a policy adviser in the same mission area with a focus on Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service issues.

1 week ago | agri-pulse.com | Rebekah Alvey |Oliver Ward |Noah Wicks |Lydia Johnson

Now the real hard work begins. The House narrowly passed the Senate-amended budget resolution Thursday. That unlocks the budget reconciliation process that will be used to try to enact President Donald Trump’s legislative priorities. But there are certain to be a lot of pitched battles ahead on a range of details. Members of the House Freedom Caucus were initially frustrated by the significantly lower spending cut targets within the Senate instructions.

2 weeks ago | agri-pulse.com | Rebekah Alvey |Oliver Ward |Noah Wicks |Lydia Johnson

Farmers and 401(k) holders are certainly breathing a sigh of relief after President Donald Trump paused his reciprocal tariffs.But two steep tariff increases on China in the last two days will still deal a huge blow to some ag sectors. “We run the risk of immediate impacts this growing season, along with the impacts a prolonged trade war with China will inflict on our industry,” American Soybean Association President Caleb Ragland said in a statement.

2 weeks ago | agri-pulse.com | Brad Hooker |Chloe Lovejoy |Rebekah Alvey |Lydia Johnson

The Department of Pesticide Regulation took a significant step in its Sustainable Pest Management agenda this week. It held the first workshop to establish a scientific advisory committee to provide recommendations on a priority list of pesticides to target for potential elimination. After decades of evaluating risks to humans and the environment, DPR is reconsidering what “risk” means. The committee will help to rank the various risks each pesticide poses. That raised concerns with Renee Pinel.