KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, US — Jennifer Shomenta, president of Cargill’s Global Edible Oils business, has been named to the board of directors at the Agriculture Future of America (AFA). Shomenta fills the seat of Marc Mears, vice president of Cargill’s North America grain, cotton and crop inputs operations, who retired from the board after a three-year term.

Shomenta has been with Cargill since 1992 and has held various positions in commodity merchandising for the grain, soy and corn processing businesses. In 2017 she was named managing director of Cargill Global Malt and in 2019 was named vice president and managing director of North America Global Edible Oils Solutions. She was named to her current role in October 2021.

She has served as the chair of Cargill’s Global Women’s Network and on its advisory board. She also is a board member for several Minneapolis, Minnesota, US-based non-profit organizations.

“Jennifer demonstrates a deep commitment to the betterment of food and agriculture, and we are excited for her to bring that dedication to AFA,” said Mark Stewart, president and chief executive officer of the AFA. “Her business acumen combined with passion for developing young talent strengthens AFA’s commitment to fostering professionalism, intellectualism and intrapreneurialism among college students.”

Other members of the AFA board include executives from ADM, Bayer, Bunge North America, CHS, Inc., Corteva Agriscience and Land O’Lakes, Inc.