Agri-Pulse: History, Policy Coverage, Podcasts, Events and Editors
Profile updated November 2026
Agri-Pulse is a subscription news service that tracks the policy decisions shaping American farms and food, from the farm bill and trade deals to regulation, energy and rural issues. Sara Wyant started it in 2004 as a one-person weekly newsletter. Two decades later it is a family-owned newsroom with editors in Washington and California, daily digests, podcasts, video and three annual policy summits.
| Founded | 2004, as Agri-Pulse Communications Inc. |
|---|---|
| Founder and publisher | Sara Wyant |
| Editor in chief | Sarah Gonzalez, since March 2026 |
| Offices | Editorial in Washington, D.C., and Sacramento, California; sales and circulation in Camdenton, Missouri |
| Format | Paid digital newsletter and website, plus podcasts, video and events |
| Ownership | Family-owned |
| Official website | Agri-Pulse.com |
History of Agri-Pulse
Sara Wyant launched Agri-Pulse in 2004 as a single weekly newsletter, betting that farm policy readers would pay for an all-digital publication at a time when that was almost unheard of in agricultural publishing. At the start she was the only staff member. Wyant had deep roots in farm journalism and led industry groups including the American Agricultural Editors Association, the Farm Foundation board of trustees and the NAFB Foundation.
The company grew steadily. In 2007 it acquired The Webster Agricultural Letter, bringing veteran policy writer Jim Webster aboard as a contributor. Senior editor Stewart Doan, a former president of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting, worked for Agri-Pulse until his death in 2012, and the company now sponsors the Doan Award in his name. Philip Brasher joined in late 2014, rose to executive editor and then editor in chief, and retired in March 2026.
By its 20th anniversary in 2024 Agri-Pulse had a full-time staff across the country and produced daily online content, audio newscasts, daily digests, webinars, podcasts, three in-person policy summits and a weekly video news program. A western edition, Agri-Pulse West, covers California and western agriculture from a Sacramento office.
Agri-Pulse Today
In February 2026 Agri-Pulse named Sarah Gonzalez its third editor in chief. She first worked there as an associate editor from 2011 to 2015, helping launch its Washington Week Ahead coverage and Meet the Lawmaker video series, then held communications roles at the National Grain and Feed Association and the International Fresh Produce Association. Wyant described the company at the time as being in its 22nd year as a family business.
The newsroom reorganized around her in 2026: Steve Davies, who joined in 2015, became managing editor, Kim Chipman took on congressional and energy coverage, and Olivia Bridges was named congressional and trade editor in June.
What Agri-Pulse Is Covering Now
Newsletters and daily news
The paid weekly newsletter remains the core product, alongside the Daybreak morning briefing, daily digests and breaking news organized by topics such as the farm bill, trade, regulation, food and politics.
Podcasts and video
Agri-Pulse produces the DriveTime, Newsmakers, Open Mic Interview and Deep Dive podcasts, plus Agri-Pulse Newsmakers on video and the long-running Meet the Lawmaker series.
Summits and forums
Its events calendar includes the D.C. Ag and Food Policy Summits, the WEST Food and Ag Issues Summits in California and the Ag Outlook Forum, along with regular webinars.
Agri-Pulse Editors and Staff
The Agri-Pulse staff page lists this editorial team:
- Sara Wyant - Founder and Publisher
- Sarah Gonzalez - Editor in Chief
- Steve Davies - Managing Editor
- Tim Hearden - Western Editor
- Kim Chipman - Congressional and Energy Editor
- Olivia Bridges - Congressional and Trade Editor
- Noah Wicks - Associate Editor
- Tammi Arender - Newsmakers Anchor and Broadcaster
- Jim Webster - Contributing Editor
- Philip Brasher - Former Editor in Chief, retired March 2026
Contributing editor Jeff Nalley was named Farm Broadcaster of the Year by the National Association of Farm Broadcasting in 2010. Allan R. Johnson is vice president and chief operating officer.
Who Reads Agri-Pulse
Agri-Pulse is written for people who need to know what Washington and state capitals are about to do to agriculture: farm and commodity group leaders, agribusiness executives, lenders, lobbyists, congressional staff, regulators and policy-minded producers. Its western edition serves the same audience in California and the West, where specialty crops, water and labor rules dominate.
The stakes are large. USDA's Economic Research Service tracks farm income and federal payments state by state, and the 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 1.9 million U.S. farms with $543 billion in sales, the base that every farm bill and trade deal Agri-Pulse covers ultimately touches.
Agri-Pulse readers spend their days parsing farm bill titles, conference reports and trade rulings, which can make anyone long for a lighter read after the markets close. That is where farm.FM comes in, offering farm satire about rural life that never needs a Senate vote. Policy pros can enjoy farm humor, ranch humor and farm jokes there without worrying about a markup schedule.
farm.FM calls itself the nation's first satirical farm site, and between the headlines it spins Tractor Tunes, country music for farmers; a good place to start reading is this farm.FM columnist's archive.
Agri-Pulse Sources and Agriculture Authority Links
- Agri-Pulse: About us and staff - the company's offices, products and editorial team.
- Agri-Pulse at 20 years - the founding story and growth since 2004.
- Agri-Pulse names Sarah Gonzalez editor in chief - the 2026 leadership change.
- USDA ERS: Farm income and wealth statistics - U.S. and state farm income data behind many policy stories.
- USDA NASS: 2022 Census of Agriculture release - national farm counts, sales and structure.
Agri-Pulse FAQ
Who founded Agri-Pulse?
Sara Wyant founded Agri-Pulse Communications Inc. in 2004 and remains its publisher.
Who is the editor of Agri-Pulse?
Sarah Gonzalez became editor in chief in March 2026, succeeding Philip Brasher. Steve Davies is managing editor.
Is Agri-Pulse free?
Agri-Pulse is primarily a paid subscription service, though it offers trial subscriptions and some free news, podcasts and video.
What is Agri-Pulse West?
It is the company's western edition, covering California and western farm and food policy from a Sacramento editorial office.
From one woman's weekly newsletter to a national policy newsroom, Agri-Pulse has made the case for two decades that farmers and agribusiness will pay for clear reporting on the rules that govern them.