Rayne Pegg leads CFBF National Affairs Division

Rayne Pegg has been named manager of the California Farm Bureau Federation National Affairs and Research Division. She will direct the organization's National Affairs staff and focus on federal affairs, the 2012 Farm Bill and congressional outreach. Pegg will also retain her role as director of special state policy projects, with an emphasis on the state budget.

Pegg has been with CFBF since August 2011, when she rejoined the organization after serving two years as administrator of the Agricultural Marketing Service for the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C. She oversaw daily functions of the agency, which purchases U.S. foods for national feeding programs, administers the National Organic Program, oversees marketing agreements and administers a number of grant programs.

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 previously served at CFBF 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.

As National Affairs manager, she replaces Jack King, who retired at the end of January after 39 years of service to Farm Bureau.

"Rayne's experience at state and federal agencies serves our members well," CFBF President Paul Wenger said. "She understands the issues affecting California farmers and ranchers. She is committed to helping our policy team ensure that our members can continue their way of life and that our state remains the leader in food and fiber production."