OUR TEAM
Holly Bice
President
Holly Bice is a seasoned government relations and strategic advocacy professional with a proven track record of success, having achieved numerous wins in the U.S. Congress and state legislatures during her career. She has in-depth expertise in the annual appropriations process and the Farm Bill and over a decade of experience lobbying on agriculture, judiciary, and natural resources issues.
One of the few truly bipartisan lobbyists in Washington, D.C., Holly has a reputation for bringing together Republicans, Democrats, and diverse stakeholders to reach meaningful results, even on the most difficult issues.
Throughout her career, Holly has championed causes that resonate across the political spectrum—including strengthening support for family farmers and rural communities, advancing federal protections for horses and for domestic violence victims and their pets, and cracking down on criminal animal cruelty, such as dogfighting and abuse. Her work reflects a deep commitment to both the agricultural heritage of America and the humane treatment of the animals that are part of it.
During the latest Congressional session, Holly represented hundreds of farmers and meat companies on various issues, including opposing efforts by special interest groups that are seeking to reverse pro-farmer laws across the country.
Melony Edwards
Assistant Director of Policy & Outreach
Melony Edwards is a food systems professional with experience spanning production agriculture, farmer advocacy, and national food systems initiatives. Her work began in the culinary world and led her to farm at Willowood Farm of Ebey’s Prairie, a 20-acre market farm and livestock operation in Washington State supplying the Seattle restaurant market. She later worked with the Organic Seed Alliance, supporting growers interested in producing open-pollinated seed.
Melony has contributed to national initiatives through the Food Systems Leadership Network, connecting organizations to strengthen regional food systems and farmer networks. She also served as Vice Board Chair of the National Young Farmers Coalition, elevating the voices of beginning farmers in federal policy discussions. Melony holds a Master of Policy Management from Georgetown University.
Farmer Leadership Council
AMPA’s Leadership Council brings the voices and experience of American farmers directly into the heart of our advocacy and policy strategy. Comprised of respected farmers who understand the challenges facing producers firsthand, the Council guides AMPA’s priorities and has a direct role in shaping the policies that impact farmers and their businesses, families, and communities.
Brent Hershey
Hog Farmer & President, Hershey Ag
Brent is the owner and President of Hershey Ag, a company he formed in 1980 that includes hog production, a dairy feed division, and a dairy ventilation business. Brent grew up on the family farm raising steers and growing tobacco and corn. He also worked alongside his father and uncle in an egg layer house.
Hershey Ag is a 3,000-sow operation that is Prop 12-certified. Brent previously used gestation crates and converted away from the practice. He is now one of the most vocal critics of gestation crates and a top leader in the effort to defeat dangerous legislation that would take away Prop 12 and states' rights. Since becoming Prop 12-certified three years ago, Brent's hog farm has seen immense success: record piglet production, 98.3% conception rates, mortality under 10%, and elimination of heat stress. Brent says, "Prop 12 has made our operation stronger, healthier, and more resilient, and it's been a lifeline for thousands of producers."
Russ Kremer
Founder, Heritage Foods
Widely known as the "Pope of Pork," Russ is a Prop 12-certified fifth-generation hog farmer and passionate advocate for sustainable farming. In 2001, Russ helped form a cooperative that now includes dozens of hog farmers committed to animal welfare and sustainability. He's a top leader in the effort to protect state laws like Prop 12 and has made numerous trips to Washington to meet with legislators.
Russ is a former board member of the National Pork Producers Council, former President of the Missouri Pork Producers Association, and former President of the Missouri Farmers Union. He served as an agricultural advisory committee member for five Missouri governors and was one of four U.S. delegates to the 2006 World Farmers Congress. In 2024, the Missouri Catholic Conference honored Russ with its Catholic of the Year Award for the Jefferson City diocese.
Samuel and Jack Santry
Co-Owners, Sweet Water Farm & Ranch
Samuel and Jack Santry are co-owners of Sweet Water Farm & Ranch, a family-owned regenerative ranch in the California Sierra foothills near Yosemite National Park. Both are U.S. Army combat veterans who bring a deep commitment to service, stewardship, and community to their family's farming operation.
Sweet Water Farm & Ranch was among the first farms to become Prop 12-certified for pork. The Santrys raise California Berkshire hogs that roam freely across open pastures and oak-studded woodlands, living instinctively and naturally, as they were meant to. Their experience proves that agriculture can be both profitable and humane. Since becoming Prop 12-certified, their operation has grown from a small local farm into a supplier to restaurants throughout Northern California and to wholesale customers across the state.