The American Feed Industry Association is excited to welcome back Jessica Morse. She was with the association several years ago and is back as our director of meetings and events. Jessica is passionate about serving our members and is really looking forward to being back in the animal food industry. Learn more about Jessica below.

This week, Emily Alvarez, a senior at the University of Florida, joined the American Feed Industry Association’s communications team as our fall intern. She loves nature, is pursuing a degree in agricultural communications with a minor in innovation and can tell you the ins and outs of pigeon racing. Get to know a little bit more about her below.

Continuing my blog series on industry titans, here’s another mover and shaker: John Starkey. John has been the president of the U.S. Poultry and Egg Association (USPOULTRY) for the last 16 years, after serving as USPOULTRY’s vice president of environmental programs for seven years. Prior to that, he worked a number of years in the poultry industry for Gold Kist and Hudson Foods, where he served as director of environmental affairs. I really got to know John through the American Feed Industry Association’s partnership with USPOULTRY on the International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE). Below is our conversation.

Today, the American Feed Industry Association released our annual, “Our Industry, Our Promise” report, detailing the operational challenges facing today’s animal feed and pet food manufacturers at the global and international levels. It also discussed the ways the AFIA is addressing those challenges head-on, while laying the groundwork for a prosperous future for our members and association into the future.

When you think of federal agencies, what comes to mind? For me, I think of an intimidating, hulking building with slow, red-tape processes. I recently learned the reality is far from my wild imagination. Boiled down, federal agencies, and specifically the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) in this story, is comprised of people, looking to give back to their country.

Having been with the American Feed Industry Association for many years, I have the honor to work with some of the most interesting and amazing leaders in the animal food industry. While I’m happy for them as they near retirement, I’m also sad to see them go. Here’s an interview with one such titan of the industry, Scott Druker, Ph.D. Scott is currently the general manager for the animal and food production division at Arm & Hammer Animal and Food Production. I really got to know Scott when he served as chair of the AFIA Board in 2020-21. Below is our conversation.

The American Feed Industry Association is thrilled to welcome aboard our new global programs specialist, Ivy Torres! Ivy is passionate about international development and is excited to work with AFIA members to improve the U.S. animal food industry’s street cred abroad. Learn more about Ivy below.

Every year, the American Feed Industry Association sponsors various nutrition research awards that honor animal scientists that advance the livestock industry, both with their research programs and by mentoring young industry leaders. The 2023 winners are listed below. Thank you all for your passion and dedication!