MELISSA SCHMAEDICK     

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     With more than twenty-five years of advancing U.S. agriculture through both domestic regulatory development and international trade leadership, I bring unique perspective to the table. My career has been dedicated to strengthening the U.S. agricultural sector—bridging public-private partnerships at home with the multilateral frameworks that shape global food and trade systems.

    Within the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service, I led the formulation, support, and oversight of federal marketing orders and public-private regulatory programs that stabilized markets for fresh produce and specialty crop industries. These programs, which included work on pecans, pistachios, walnuts, and leafy greens, required deep engagement with producers, cooperatives, and small businesses to balance regulatory compliance, market development, and economic opportunity. This work provided a profound understanding of the domestic agricultural landscape and the challenges facing growers and handlers across diverse regions.

     Internationally, I served as Senior Director of Multilateral Affairs and Director of the World Trade Organization Division within USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service, where I oversaw U.S. representation in key multilateral forums including APEC, the WTO, and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. I directed teams negotiating on food security, sustainability, and agricultural trade—ensuring that U.S. policy was effectively communicated and reflected in global decision-making.

     Through this work, I gained a holistic understanding of how domestic priorities and international frameworks intersect and how creative, evidence-based policymaking can advance both. This broad scope of experience—spanning domestic regulatory structures, market access issues, and international food systems governance—has forged a rare ability to identify linkages between local and global agricultural challenges, gain insight into stakeholder perspectives, and develop practical, innovative solutions. Above all, it reflects my career-long commitment to advocating for U.S. agriculture, ensuring that the voices of American producers and agricultural innovators are represented and respected on the world stage.

     I welcome the opportunity to bring this perspective to your organization and to continue contributing to the strength, sustainability, and competitiveness of U.S. agriculture.