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Field to Market Announces New Officers

February 06, 2020

Field to Market: The Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture announced today the election of new officers for the organization’s Board of Directors. The board selected Brandon Hunnicutt of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) as chair, Jeremy Peters of the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) as vice chair, Diane Herndon of Nestlé Purina as secretary and Michelle French of ADM as treasurer.

With the election of Nebraska farmer Brandon Hunnicutt as chair, Field to Market will be led for the first time by a grower, underscoring the importance of the central role that farmers must play in shaping sustainability programs and initiatives for the food and agriculture value chain in the United States. Hunnicutt previously served as treasurer of the board.

“It is an honor to be elected as the first farmer to lead the Alliance’s Board of Directors,” said Brandon Hunnicutt, farmer and board member of NCGA. “Field to Market continues to distinguish itself as the premier multi-stakeholder initiative for sustainable agriculture and a leading example of how farmers can inform and guide these important conversations across the value chain.”

Field to Market’s Board of Directors is composed of balanced representation of three representatives from each of the Alliance’s five membership sectors: Growers, Brands & Retail, Agribusiness, Civil Society and Affiliate. The new officers are elected to a two-year term, steering the organization through the ongoing implementation of its 2019-2021 Strategic Plan.

“We are delighted to welcome NCGA, NACD, Nestlé Purina and ADM as officers in the Alliance,” said Rod Snyder, president of Field to Market. “The diversity of leadership continues to be our strength as we unite the entire agricultural value chain to advance a common vision of supporting resilient ecosystems and enhancing farmer livelihoods.”

The officers appointed to lead Field to Market’s Board of Directors through December 2021 include:

  • Chair – Brandon Hunnicutt raises corn, soybeans, seed corn, popcorn and sorghum on his family farm in Giltner, Nebraska. Along with his father, Daryl, and brother, Zach, he utilizes the latest technologies while integrating conservation tillage practices and cover crops, on a nearly 100 percent irrigated farm. On the national level, Brandon serves as a member of the Corn Board of NCGA and also chairs the Engaging Members Committee. He previously served as chair of NCGA’s Grower Services Action Team and vice chair of the Freedom to Operate Action Team. At the state level, Brandon is vice chair of the Nebraska Corn Board. He is also a past president of both the Nebraska Corn Growers Association and the Nebraska Agricultural Technologies Association.

 

  • Vice Chair – Jeremy Peters joined the staff of NACD in 2006 and became the association’s Chief Executive Officer in April 2015. He manages the association and leads advocacy efforts on behalf of the nation’s 3,000 conservation districts. During his career with NACD, Jeremy has served as Chief Operating Officer as well as Legislative Affairs Manager. Earlier in his career, he served as Federal Policy Director for American Farmland Trust and directed climate, conservation, and energy programs for National Farmers Union. He previously worked on Capitol Hill for former Congressman Earl Pomeroy, D – North Dakota, who sat on the House Agriculture Committee and the Ways and Means Committee. Jeremy grew up on his family’s farm raising cattle in Wise County in rural southwestern Virginia. He holds bachelor’s degrees in political science and history from Emory and Henry College, as well as a Master of Public Administration degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

 

  • Secretary – Diane Herndon of Nestlé Purina is a responsible sourcing and sustainability expert, working in the agricultural industry for over 30 years. As senior manager of sustainability, she represents Nestlé Purina in projects that add value to agricultural landscapes taking an ecosystem approach that improves water quality, water quantity, biodiversity and soil health in regions where the company’s U.S. ingredients are sourced. Believing in the power of partnerships, Diane collaborates with farmers, conservationists, and other companies and organizations to advance toward mutual goals. Before joining Purina in 2011, she worked as a senior director of public policy and corporate responsibility for Monsanto. She holds a B.S. in journalism and an MBA.

 

  • Treasurer – Michelle French is Manager of Corporate Sustainability at ADM where she focuses on sustainable supply chain initiatives including implementation of the company’s human rights policy and North American sustainable agriculture programs. She also engages with stakeholders in the supply chain, including growers and customers, as well as other stakeholders such as NGOs and investors to communicate the company’s sustainability strategy. Prior to this role, Michelle spent 10 years in environmental compliance. She holds a B.S. in Natural Resources and Environmental Science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

The Board of Directors extends its thanks to outgoing Board Chair, Stefani Millie Grant of Unilever, for serving two consecutive terms and to Michelle Nutting of Nutrien for her service as Board Secretary.

ABOUT FIELD TO MARKET

Field to Market: The Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture® brings together a diverse group of grower organizations; agribusinesses; food, feed, beverage, restaurant, and retail companies; conservation groups; universities and public sector partners to focus on defining, measuring, and advancing the sustainability of food, feed, fiber, and fuel production. Field to Market comprises around 200 members representing all facets of the U.S. agricultural supply chain, with members employing more than 5 million people and representing combined revenues totaling over $1.5 trillion. 

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"We are delighted to welcome NCGA, NACD, Nestlé Purina and ADM as officers in the Alliance. The diversity of leadership continues to be our strength as we unite the entire agricultural value chain to advance a common vision of supporting resilient ecosystems and enhancing farmer livelihoods.” 

Rod Snyder, president, Field to Market

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