Modern Ag Alliance chooses its first executive director

The Modern Ag Alliance, a coalition of agricultural stakeholders that advocates for U.S. farmers’ access to the crop protection tools, has appointed Elizabeth Burns-Thompson as its first executive director. 

Burns-Thompson — who has Juris Doctorate in Agricultural Law from Drake University and a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Business from Iowa State University — joins the the alliance having long championed farmers’ interests across law, policy, and public affairs advocacy. She most recently led government relations and policy efforts for Landus Ag Cooperative and has previously held roles with the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation and Iowa Corn Growers Association.

Her efforts will be vital going into the new administration. While President-elect Donald Trump has the broad support of farmers and rural Americans, one of his key Cabinet nominees, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has a history of speaking out against crop protection products. There is trepidation throughout agriculture about how he would use his role if confirmed to the Department of Health and Human Services to impact pesticide availability and usage.

Burns-Thompson’s position is specifically to lead the Modern Ag Alliance’s efforts to advocate for science-based policies that protect farmers’ access to such tools and to help support sustainable and productive farming practices, the food supply, and the agricultural economy.

“I am honored to lead the Modern Ag Alliance at this pivotal moment for American agriculture,” she said in a prepared statement. “Growing up on our family farm in eastern Iowa, I know firsthand the dedication it takes to navigate the uncertainties of farming. Today, with falling commodity prices and tighter margins, protecting farmers’ access to critical crop protection tools like glyphosate is more important than ever– it’s essential to supporting their livelihoods, our food supply, and the competitiveness of American agriculture. I look forward to working with our partners to promote policies rooted in science and the interests of America’s farmers.”

The Modern Ag Alliance was founded by Bayer and has an extensive list of partners, including a variety of state and regional soybean associations, the Georgia Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association, the California Seed Association, the Agribusiness Council of Indiana, the National Corn Growers Association, Oregonians for Food and Shelter, and state Farm Bureaus from Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. 

“Elizabeth’s leadership brings a new energy and voice to our advocacy,” said Steve Taylor, president of the Missouri Agribusiness Association, and a board member of the Modern Ag Alliance. “Her commitment to U.S. agriculture and proven ability to communicate and build bridges between stakeholders will be instrumental to making meaningful progress on behalf of farming communities nationwide.”