Ann Wright, deputy under secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, will address members at the Insiders Breakfast, June 17, during IDFA's Washington Conference. Wright will speak about the status of the Dairy Industry Advisory Committee, which met for the second time last week. She'll also discuss USDA's involvement in interagency efforts to support the "Let's Move!" initiative led by First Lady Michelle Obama.

When he announced her appointment last June, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said, "Ann has a strong background in trade, and she will be a vocal advocate for expanding agriculture markets abroad. Her knowledge and understanding of both domestic and international issues will help set a course for future growth in agricultural exports."

Years of Experience in Agriculture

Before joining USDA, Wright served as senior policy advisor to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on issues before the Senate Agriculture Committee. Prior to joining Reid's staff, she was a policy analyst for Consumers Union on energy and trade issues and worked with farmers and non-profit organizations at the Sustainable Agriculture Coalition in Washington, D.C.

Wright also has served as a policy advisor on agriculture issues for Senator Paul Simon of Illinois and Senator Paul Wellstone of Minnesota. She is from central Illinois and earned her Bachelors Degree in Political Science from Illinois State University.

USDA's Marketing and Regulatory Programs division facilitates domestic and international marketing of U.S. agricultural products and ensures the health and care of animals and plants.

Wright will join U.S. Representative Frank Lucas (R-OK), ranking member of the House Agriculture Committee, and Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), a member of the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee, on the agenda. The legislators will share their perspectives on current policy discussions and pending legislation affecting the dairy industry.

Washington Conference will be held June 16-17 at The Madison Hotel. A full agenda and registration details are available here.