Caron Gala

Caron Gala is the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) Director of Government Affairs on Agriculture and International Development. Prior to coming to APLU, Caron accumulated over a decade of experience in directing government relations for agricultural economics, agronomy, crop, and soil science societies. Along with members of these science societies, Caron developed strategic initiatives in big data, climate change, ecosystems services, and rural energy issues. Her work cultivated funding and programmatic support for basic and applied food and agricultural research, as well as related education, training, and the Cooperative Extension System.

At APLU, in her role supporting the Board on Agriculture Assembly, Caron serves as Executive Director of the Council for Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching (CARET). During budget, appropriations, and authorizing cycles, Caron works with the Council on Governmental Affairs (CGA) members on federal funding accounts related to agricultural, food, and natural resource issues. She engages with congressional contacts both on and off congressional committees to advance advocacy goals. In coordination with APLU Vice Presidents and CGA members, she manages engagement with the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, the Office of Management and Budget, Domestic Policy Council, United States Department of Agriculture, United States Agency for International Development, United States Geological Survey, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.