Kathleen Merrigan Visits California

Last week, the Ag Council’s Board of Directors was thrilled to meet with Kathleen Merrigan, the newly appointed Deputy Secretary of the USDA. This was her first official trip to California as Deputy Secretary. During her two day stay, she participated in an industry luncheon on Wednesday in Sacramento, hosted by former Deputy Secretary Rich Rominger. On Thursday, she met with the Ag Council’s Board of Directors. Our lunch meeting provided an excellent opportunity to informally engage the Deputy Secretary on issues (such as trade, water and specialty crop funding) of importance to California agriculture. She’s an impressive individual, who spoke with candor and has a very good knowledge of the timely issues. In addition to Merrigan’s visit, the Board also had a chance to express its congratulations and best wishes to Rayne Pegg, who will be assuming her new position as Administrator of the Agricultural Marketing Service in early July. Rayne worked for the Council from 2001-2004.

Image provided by USDA.

Kathleen Merrigan speaks with Karen Ross, President of the California Association of Winegrape Growers, at a lunch on June 11th with the Ag Council Board of Directors. 

Image provided by USDA.

Kathleen Merrigan sits between Board Chairman Mike Emigh and Vice President Emily Robidart Rooney while fielding question from Ag Council board members.