Celebrating the Women on USDA Agricultural Trade Advisory Committees

By Michelle Pelletier Marshall, Women in Agribusiness Media (August 6, 2024)

This is by no means an exhaustive list – what with the USDA having over 140 federal advisory committees – but last week’s announcement by the USDA of the appointments and reappointments of advisory committee members made us sit up and take notice. Of the 55 members announced to serve on seven agricultural trade advisory committees, just over 40 percent were women. While there’s always room for improvement in that number, we are pleased to recognize the women below for giving their time to assist with the formulation of U.S. trade policy and provide objective reviews of industry trade agreements.

These Industry Trade Advisory Committees (ITACs) were established under the Trade Act of 1974 to ensure that trade negotiators were consulting with the private sector during trade negotiations. The Industry Trade Advisory Center was also established at that time to administer the work of 15 ITACs (of which ATACs, or Agricultural Technical Advisory Committees, are a part), a Committee of Chairs, and over 300 industry executives. They are jointly managed by the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Office of United States Trade Representative (USTR).

The group of appointed advisors below will serve until 2028. A complete roster of members and additional information about the committees is available at www.fas.usda.gov/atacs.

Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee

Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee (ATAC) for Trade in Animals and Animal Products

ATAC for Trade in Fruits and Vegetables

ATAC for Trade in Grains, Feed, Oilseeds, and Planting Seeds

ATAC for Trade in Sweeteners and Sweetener Products

Kristy Goodfellow Mills

VP of Trade and Industry Affairs

Corn Refiners Association

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 ATAC for Trade in Tobacco, Cotton, Peanuts, and Hemp

ATAC for Trade in Processed Foods