Ag Communicator Emily Meredith Honored as 30 and Under 'Rising PR Star'

“In two years, she’s become the de facto issues management coordinator for the entire animal protein industry.” -- Kay Johnson Smith, Animal Agriculture Alliance.

Source: National Milk Producers Federation/Animal Agriculture Alliance

ARLINGTON, Va. – Emily Metz Meredith, vice president for animal care at the National Milk Producers Federation, was honored today as a Rising PR Star by a leading newsletter for communications professionals.

Emily Meredith

Meredith, who until recently was vice president of communications and membership for the Animal Agriculture Alliance, was recognized in the 30 and under category at PR News’ annual PR People Awards lunch, held Tuesday at the National Press Club in Washington. Meredith was one of 32 cited in the Rising Star category. PR News said all the honorees “took chances and made tremendous strides in their communications efforts.”

Meredith was nominated for the award by the Animal Agriculture Alliance, where she increased mentions of the organization in the media 75 percent in one year and 365 percent in another. In two years with the Alliance, she was interviewed by organizations ranging from Al Jazeera to The Washington Post and appeared on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.

Alliance President and CEO Kay Johnson Smith praised Meredith’s vision, passion and commitment to excellence in her work. “Emily’s approach to everything is strategic, proactive and bold,” Smith said. “That’s why in two years she became the de facto issues management coordinator for the entire animal protein industry.” The Animal Agriculture Alliance is a coalition of producer organizations and individuals that communicates the importance of livestock agriculture to the public.

At the National Milk Producers Federation, Meredith oversees an animal care program known as Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM). While she has only been with the organization a short time, NMPF President and CEO Jim Mulhern said she has already put her considerable advocacy skills to work on behalf of dairy farmers.

“With a strong livestock agriculture background, Emily is taking the FARM program forward,” Mulhern said. “She’s increasing support for the program among producers while she educates processors, retailers, media and others about dairy farmers’ commitment to high-quality animal care.” NMPF is the voice of more than 32,000 dairy farmers in Washington.

Meredith is a Wisconsin native with a degree in mass communications and international affairs from The George Washington University. She also has a law degree from Seton Hall University. Before joining the Animal Agriculture Alliance, Meredith was a litigation assistant in the New York Attorney General’s office and served as a speech writer at the Department of Agriculture.