Chief Economist and Treasurer
Focus Areas: Transportation, Risk Management
Our Policy Priorities
Agricultural Trade
NGFA supports a global, rules-based trade system that opens new markets and levels the playing field for U.S. agriculture. We advocate for strong enforcement of existing trade agreements and push for new opportunities in Asia, North America, and beyond.
Transportation
The success of U.S. agriculture depends on an efficient, multimodal transportation system. NGFA advocates for improvements across trucking, rail, and inland waterways to reduce costs and delays. Priorities include allowing greater truck weight flexibility, enforcing common carrier obligations for railroads, and modernizing locks and dams. We also strongly oppose breaching the Lower Snake River dams, a critical export corridor that moves nearly 30% of U.S. grain and oilseed exports.
Innovative FEED Act
NGFA supports a clear regulatory pathway for novel feed additives that enhance animal health and sustainability. The bipartisan FEED Act would modernize FDA policy to accelerate innovation while maintaining rigorous food safety standards.
Farm Bill Priorities
NGFA supports a strong federal crop insurance program, working lands conservation programs like EQIP and CSP, and market-oriented commodity policies. We also advocate increased funding for export promotion programs like MAP and FMDP.
U.S. Grain Standards Act
Reliable grading and inspection underpin our grain export system. NGFA supports reauthorization of the USGSA with reforms that ensure fee transparency, support adoption of modern technology, and prevent service disruptions at export ports.
Meet Our Policy Team
Max Fisher
Jess McCluer
Senior Vice President, Safety and Regulatory
Focus Areas: Environment, Grain Inspection and Grain Quality, Safety, Regulatory Policy, Trade
Berit Foss, Ph. D.
Vice President, Feed and Sustainability
Focus Areas: Animal Feed Policy, Feed Innovation, Sustainability, Biofuels
Allison Rivera
Vice President, Government and Legislative Affairs
Focus Areas: Farm Bill, Transportation: Trucking and Waterways, Biotech, Appropriations
Action Center
U.S. Grain Standards Act
Trade, transportation, innovation, and all the policy and regulatory issues that help move U.S. grain and oilseeds to market.
Download Fact Sheet
Innovative Feed Act
Learn and grow through courses, videos, and tools exploring the technical aspects of the U.S. grain and feed industry.
Download Fact Sheet
Farm Bill
Conferences, meetings, and webinars help grain and feed industry professionals network and learn from peers.
Download Fact Sheet
Second Vice Chairman: Brian Schouvieller
Second Vice Chairman: Augusto Bassanini
First Vice Chairman: Chris Boerm