The organization will work toward "Transforming America’s Harvest" with new initiatives and projects.

The combined company will focus on improving production efficiencies for high-protein animal nutrition ingredients.

If confirmed, Jewel H. Bronaugh will be the first African American woman to serve as deputy secretary of agriculture.

Tom Vilsack is the former secretary of agriculture for the USDA and current president and chief execuive officer of the US Dairy Export Council.

Dr. Cassie Jones, Dr. Keith Behnke, and Dr. Bill Braman were all recognized with individual awards for their support of AFIA and the animal food manufacturing industry.

Bond Pet Foods and nine other early-stage companies were selected to participate in the inaugural program, hosted by Plug and Play out of its new innovation center in Topeka, Kan.

Dr. Robert Waltz received the Ambassador’s Circle Award from the national agricultural organization for his support of food safety initiatives.