Director of Government Affairs, American Farm Bureau Federation
Joe Gilson joined American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) as Director of Government Affairs in December 2023. In this role, his portfolio includes commodities, conservation, environment, biofuels and transportation. This includes legislative initiatives in Congress, as well as engagement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Transportation and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
In addition to working closely with the state Farm Bureaus and policymakers to accomplish AFBF policy, Gilson represents the organization in its collaborative industry work, including the Agriculture Transportation Working Group and the Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance.
Prior to joining AFBF, he worked for Senator Chuck Grassley as the legislative assistant for agriculture, trade, energy and environmental issues for four years. Prior to that, Gilson worked at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. A native Iowa, Gilson graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science and English from Simpson College in 2014.