In his new role at the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), Dr. Jaye Hamby will oversee efforts to advance scientific breakthroughs in agriculture, support community outreach initiatives, and cultivate the next generation of agricultural leaders through the USDA‘s grant wing.
“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 in a press release. “His commitment to advancing agricultural research, extension, and education will help drive solutions to the industry’s most pressing challenges and ensure the continued strength and global competitiveness of U.S. agriculture.”
A Tennessee native, Dr. Hamby grew up on his family’s cow-calf operation and became involved in agriculture through 4-H and FFA, eventually serving as a national FFA officer. He later earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural education from the University of Tennessee, followed by master’s and doctorate degrees in agricultural education from Oklahoma State University. Over the years, he has led extensive research on concept testing, product marketing, value driver analysis, and market trends to support agricultural producers.
Dr. Manjit K. Misra served as NIFA’s Director from May 8, 2023, to March 20, 2025, under the Biden Administration before Dr. Hamby was appointed the new director. Before Dr. Misra’s appointment, Dr. Dionne Toombs served as NIFA’s Acting Director from April 11, 2022 - May 8, 2023.
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