Meet Meghan Dicks!

Written by: AFIA Editor   |   October 21, 2024

Staff, New Staff

The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) is pleased to announce the addition of Meghan Dicks as its director of membership and engagement. In this role, Dicks will play a pivotal role in setting the standard for exemplary member service and member experience. While many may remember her from her previous engagement with the AFIA and jobs within the industry, we wanted to take the opportunity to introduce her to some who may not know her well.

Q: Tell me about your background.

A: My family has deep roots in agriculture. I was born and raised in Douglas, Ariz., which is a small town on the U.S.-Mexico border in southeastern Arizona. Although I grew up in town, we lived a rural life; Southeastern Arizona is still deeply entrenched in the ranching way of life, which had a huge impact on my views and love for agriculture.

Growing up, I took advantage of every opportunity to get involved in agriculture that came my way. I was active in 4-H, and I initially tried to sign up for every activity and program that our 4-H club offered! Thankfully, our club leader helped me decide which projects would be best to start with. During my 4-H tenure, I learned to show may different types of animals, and I was active in leadership at the local, county and state levels. In high school, I took as many agriculture classes as I could pack into my schedule and was very involved in Future Farmers of America.

In college, I majored in agricultural economics and agriculture business at New Mexico State University, and I was very active in Greek life as well as within the College of Agriculture on campus. During college, I also enjoyed my internship with the New Mexico Department of Agriculture’s marketing division. My internship gave me the opportunity to call on businesses throughout New Mexico and travel to Torreón, Coahuila, Mexico, as part of the official delegation to the XXIII Border Governors Conference.  

Q: You have been in the animal food industry for a while. What originally drew you to this industry and kept your interest over the years?

A: I was fortunate to begin my career in the animal food industry right out of college and to remain in the industry for the last 18 years. What has kept my passion alive over the years is the remarkable people I've met and the pride I take in our industry's vital role in producing safe and balanced food for the animals we care for, as well as for those that provide the meat, milk and eggs that are critical to the global food supply.

Q: How does your background in regulatory and scientific affairs contribute to your new role at AFIA?

A: I understand what our members are going through on a daily basis. My regulatory experience has shown me that our members are deeply committed to upholding high standards, with a strong focus on doing what is right while meeting regulatory requirements.

The animal food industry is currently experiencing regulatory change at an unprecedented rate. Keeping up with regulatory changes is crucial not just for company growth, but also to ensure basic compliance. This makes the real-time information and resources that AFIA membership provides more valuable than ever. One of my key priorities will be helping our members connect with and fully utilize these valuable resources.

Q: When you were an AFIA member, what was the thing you valued most about your membership?

A: I learned so much from my industry colleagues and formed lasting friendships while participating in AFIA committees, as both a committee member and as a member of a member interest group. Discussing issues and ideas with my industry colleagues and hearing what the AFIA staff learned during their meetings with the Food and Drug Administration gave me valuable information and resources that I wouldn’t have had access to otherwise.  

As a committee member, I also had the opportunity to represent the AFIA as an industry advisor on several Association of American Feed Control Officials’ committees. In that advisory role, I delivered the industry's “voice” to state and federal regulators on a variety of topics, and I helped strengthen the working relationship between the AFIA and regulators.

Q: Where are your goals for expanding AFIA’s membership and/or engaging current members?

A: I want to help our members maximize the value of their membership. Even as an active member myself, AFIA had tools and resources I hadn’t fully explored. That’s why I’m committed to ensuring our members fully benefit from everything we have to offer.

Q: As you know, we love our fur babies around here! What kind of animals do you have? 

A: My husband and I have a (very spoiled) black lab named Scout.

Q: What do you enjoy doing for fun?

A: I love spending time with my family and friends, especially when we can be in or on the water. I also enjoy announcing the cattle show at our county fair and spending time with our three nieces.

You can meet Meghan at the upcoming Equipment Manufacturers Conference and International Production & Processing Expo.