WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S. — The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) announced on Aug. 26 that Sarah Gonzalez is the association's new director of communications and digital media.

"We're extremely pleased to have a person of Sarah's considerable talents, dedication and energy join our staff team," said Randy Gordon, NGFA president. "She has a tremendous work ethic and well-earned and widely recognized reputation for accuracy, ethics and fairness. She also has a deep passion and commitment to agriculture, and keen interest in the kind of policy and operations issues important to NGFA member companies. I'm excited about the strengths she'll bring to NGFA's communications, media and public policy outreach and advocacy efforts to serve our members and the industry."

Prior to joining NGFA, Gonzalez was an associate editor for the agricultural news organization Agri-Pulse from 2011-15. At Agri-Pulse, she gained reporting, writing and video news interviewing experience focusing on a wide range of agricultural issues.

A native of Elburn, Illinois, U.S., Gonzalez earned a bachelor's degree in journalism at Iowa State University. She wrote extensively for the Iowa State Daily, worked in the public relations/marketing department of the Iowa State Daily, and served as communications intern for the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

Gonzalez fills the staff vacancy created by the departure of Heather McElrath, communications director who in June took a new position with a financial literacy and education nonprofit organization.