Rachel Pick Will Join CPDA as Vice President
The trade group will appoint the former federal advocate to lead its government relations efforts starting in November.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in People
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The Council of Producers & Distributors of Agrotechnology will appoint Rachel Pick as Vice President of Government Relations. She will begin her new role on November 2, 2026.
Why it matters
The appointment aims to bolster the organization's efforts to streamline pesticide registrations and strengthen supply chain resilience for crop protection products. Pick is expected to leverage her extensive background in federal policy and agriculture to advance these legislative objectives.
Pick brings 20 years of Washington work experience to the role and currently manages a 2,500-acre family farming operation in Iowa. Her previous leadership background includes chairing a subcommittee that represents 40 grower organizations.
The players
Rachel Pick
She is an experienced agricultural policy advocate who has previously worked for U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley and in the Office of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue.
Andrew Walmsley
He previously held the Vice President of Government Relations position at the Council of Producers & Distributors of Agrotechnology before joining the member company Atticus.
Sonny Perdue
He served as the United States Secretary of Agriculture and previously oversaw the office where Pick worked.
Chuck Grassley
He is a U.S. Senator who previously employed Pick during her career in Washington.
Stephen Vaden
He served as the USDA General Counsel and previously received policy advice from Pick.
The details
Pick transitions to the organization after most recently leading federal advocacy for AmericanHort. Her professional history includes service in the Office of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue and advisory work for USDA General Counsel Stephen Vaden.
Timeline
Rachel Pick begins her role as Vice President on November 2, 2026.
Market Landscape
This leadership transition signals a strategic pivot toward heavy legislative advocacy to address complex regulatory hurdles in the agricultural sector. The organization is positioning itself to better influence federal policy and compete for favorable outcomes in crop protection regulation.
For agricultural producers and industry stakeholders, this change may signal shifting priorities regarding pesticide regulation and federal advocacy efforts. Changes to policy implementation could eventually influence the cost and availability of certain crop protection products.
The takeaway
Pick brings a blend of hands-on farming experience and decades of federal policy knowledge to her new role. Her appointment highlights the growing importance of navigating complex regulatory backlogs for companies operating in the domestic agricultural supply chain.
Further reading
For more on shifting roles within the industry, visit the People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by AgriBusiness Global.
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