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WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the appointment of Dr. Jaye L. Hamby as the Director of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). As Director, Dr. Hamby will lead USDA's efforts to advance agricultural innovation, community outreach, and fostering the next generation of agricultural leaders.
"Dr. Hamby's deep-rooted experience in agriculture--from hands-on work in farming to decades of leadership in research and innovation--makes him the ideal choice to lead NIFA," said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins.
Dr. Hamby, a Tennessee native, grew up on his family's cow-calf operation and developed a deep connection to agriculture through 4-H and FFA, eventually serving as a national FFA officer. He then earned a bachelor's degree in agricultural education from the University of Tennessee before completing his master's and doctorate degrees in agricultural education at Oklahoma State University. Over the course of his career, he has directed hundreds of research efforts specializing in concept testing, product marketing, value driver analysis, and following market trends and strategies to support agricultural producers.