Pegg rejoins Farm Bureau National Affairs Division

After serving in both state and federal agricultural agencies, Rayne Pegg has rejoined the California Farm Bureau Federation as assistant manager of the National Affairs and Research Division. Pegg will also serve as director of special state policy projects. She will focus on issues including federal affairs, the 2012 Farm Bill, food safety, congressional outreach and the state budget.

Pegg rejoins CFBF after serving for the past two years as administrator of the Agricultural Marketing Service for the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C. As administrator, she oversaw the daily functions of the agency with 5,500 employees and a $1 billion budget. The agency purchases U.S. foods for national feeding programs, administers the National Organic Program, oversees marketing agreements and administers a number of grant programs, including the Specialty Crop Block Grants program.

While at AMS, she strengthened food safety requirements for the food purchased for school lunches and—drawing on the on-farm knowledge of AMS employees—built a strong partnership with the Food and Drug Administration to share expertise and resources on the drafting and implementation of food safety standards. Under her direction, the agency also partnered to fund research and provide training in on-farm food safety practices.

Prior to her role at USDA, Pegg served one year as deputy secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, where she acted as principal advisor on legislative and policy issues and represented CDFA before the Legislature and other government agencies.

Pegg's previous work at CFBF was as director of international trade, farm policy and horticultural crops from 2004 to 2008, where she focused on issues including trade, food safety, invasive species, farmers markets and federal farm programs.

"Rayne's return to CFBF marks a homecoming," CFBF President Paul Wenger said. "With her strong commitment to California farmers and ranchers, plus her years of experience with governmental agencies, she will be a valuable asset for our policy team."

Her prior experience also includes three years as director of government relations for the Agricultural Council of California.

Pegg earned a bachelor's degree from the College of Notre Dame of Maryland. She is married to Shawn Pegg and has a son, Finn.