September 22, 2026

Washington, D.C. – The Plant Based Products Council (PBPC) is pleased to announce the addition of Jonathan Stephens as its new Project and Policy Manager. In this role, Stephens will support a variety of efforts, including membership recruitment and engagement.

“Jonathan is a welcome addition to the PBPC staff, and I’m excited that he is joining our exceptional team,” said PBPC Executive Director James Glueck. “Our members are the foundation of the work we do at PBPC, and Jonathan’s work to ensure we are meeting the needs of the growing ag bioeconomy will be critical to Read More >

Sept. 16, 2026

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Plant Based Products Council Executive Director James Glueck released the following statement on the passage of the  through the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee: 

“The Plant Based Products Council appreciates the momentum for a Farm Bill that would strengthen America’s biobased products sector,” said Glueck. “The takes important steps to expand markets for innovative biobased products, strengthen domestic biomanufacturing capacity, and ensure the American ag bioeconomy remains globally competitive, reducing reliance on foreign supply chains for critical biobased materials.

“The bill includes bipartisan, PBPC-endorsed policy priorities, including measures to establish uniform bioeconomy terminology, expand federal procurement through improvements Read More >

September 16, 2026

Washington, D.C. — Plant Based Products Council (PBPC) Board Chair Dr. Alex Buck testified today before the U.S. House Agriculture Committee about the opportunity to create new markets for American farmers by expanding the nation’s agricultural bioeconomy.

Buck appeared before the full committee at a hearing titled “Increasing Demand and Opportunities for Homegrown Products Here and Abroad.” In his testimony, Buck highlighted how agricultural biomanufacturing can transform American-grown crops and other renewable feedstocks into higher-value materials, chemicals, consumer products, and industrial products, creating new sources of demand for farmers while strengthening domestic manufacturing. 

Read More >

August 7, 2026

Washington, D.C. — Plant Based Products Council Executive Director James Glueck released the following statement after the Senate voted to confirm Glen Smith as USDA’s Under Secretary for Rural Development.

“PBPC is excited to see Glen Smith in the position to provide strong, steady leadership for critical work for the future of the American ag bioeconomy,” said Glueck. “Smith’s strong financial background and understanding of the needs of rural America will be beneficial as he leads Rural Development’s vast mission area. We are eager to partner with him and the rest of the department to advance Read More >

August 6, 2026

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Plant Based Products Council Executive Director James Glueck released the following statement following the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee’s consideration of the :

“The Farm Bill represents an opportunity to provide the entire American agriculture value chain with much-needed policy certainty, and it was encouraging to see several bipartisan policy priorities included in the legislation before the Senate Agriculture Committee today,” said Glueck. “PBPC urges lawmakers to continue work to produce a five-year farm bill that supports rural America, strengthens the ag bioeconomy, and offers predictability that will help American food and Read More >

July 13, 2026

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A broad array of more than 100 companies, organizations, producer groups, and more have signed a letter to members of Congress urging support for the . The bill, which would offer tax incentives to grow the American ag bioeconomy, has bipartisan support in the House of Representatives.

“As the United States works to strengthen its manufacturing base, enhance supply chain resilience, and grow the domestic bioeconomy, this legislation represents an important opportunity to expand investment and bolster America’s global leadership in biomanufacturing,” the letter reads.

The legislation, H.R. 8137, was introduced by Read More >

June 23, 2026 

WASHINGTON – Plant Based Products Council Executive Director James Glueck released the following statement on Farm Bill text released by Senate Agriculture Committee Chair John Boozman.

“We appreciate Chairman Boozman for recognizing the importance of America’s agricultural bioeconomy in the Senate Farm Bill discussion draft,” said Glueck. “Strengthening USDA’s BioPreferred Program, improving existing loan programs, and other provisions will help expand markets for American-grown feedstocks, support rural manufacturing jobs, and bring more U.S.-made biobased products to consumers and federal purchasers. PBPC urges lawmakers to preserve these provisions and continue advancing policies that improve federal procurement, Read More >

May 14, 2026 

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Plant Based Products Council (PBPC) today concluded its 2026 Ag Bioeconomy Policy Summit, bringing together more than 60 attendees representing dozens of organizations from across the U.S. bioeconomy to advocate for policies that strengthen domestic biomanufacturing, expand markets for agricultural feedstocks, and advance America’s leadership in plant-based products innovation.

Over the course of the summit, PBPC members and partners held more than 20 meetings on Capitol Hill with lawmakers and congressional staff to discuss the urgent need for continued federal investment in the nation’s growing ag bioeconomy — including support for the USDA BioPreferred Program and key Farm Read More >