- Counseled multiple agricultural trade associations on the H-2A visa program regulatory activity and assisted in advocacy efforts to reform the H-2A visa program.
- Analyzed H-2A and H-2B proposed rulemakings and prepared comments to the Department of Labor and Department of Homeland Security.
- Provided H-2A visa program regulatory compliance counsel to H-2A employers and agents.
- Advocated on behalf of an agricultural trade association for modifications to the Federal Crop Insurance program in the 2023 Farm Bill.
- Engaged the Department of Transportation on behalf of agricultural trade association on Commercial Drivers Licensing requirements.
- Counseled grocery retail clients and e-commerce platforms on USDA Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Women Infants and Childrens (WIC) program compliance, including the Online Pilot Program, equal treatment waivers, and updated compliance and training materials.
- Providing regulatory counsel to a fintech company on issues related to Electronic Benefits Transfer Point of Sale and Mobile EBT regulatory requirements under the SNAP program.
- Represented a produce grower in successfully petitioning the USDA’s National Organic Program in obtaining reinstatement of the client’s organic certification following the suspension by the organic certifying agent.
- Engaged the National Organics Standards Board on behalf of an international trade association to ensure farmer members access to critical inputs while maintaining organic integrity.
- Represented a food manufacturer on Food Safety Inspection Service standards of identity.
Kristi Boswell
Counsel,
- Phone: +1 202 239 3236
- Email: kristi.boswell@alston.com
With her farm roots and more than a decade of agricultural policy experience, Kristi provides agricultural and food clients insights and solutions on legislative and regulatory issues impacting farm businesses and rural America. She previously served as a senior official at the USDA and the White House and advocated for farmers at a national trade association.
- Advising clients on requirements under the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act (AFIDA) and impacts of state laws restricting foreign ownership of agricultural land.
- Represented a dairy farmer seeking changes to the USDA Farm Service Agency Dairy Indemnity Payment Program to provide indemnity for animals impacted by PFAS contamination.
- Represented a specialty crop farmer in a USDA National Appeals Division appeal of a Farm Service Agency Pandemic Assistance Program and Emergency Relief Program denial.
- Organized client Congressional fly-in meetings, including scheduling strategy, developing talking points, and preparation sessions.
- Interpreted legislative text to advise clients based on their policy objectives and collaborated on crafting cohesive legislative strategies.
- Authored a brief to the United States Supreme Court on behalf of amici agricultural construction companies related to the applicability of the Fair Labor Standards Act overtime agricultural exemption.
- Testified as an expert witness before the House Education & Labor Worker Protections Subcommittee.
Kristi Boswell focuses her regulatory and policy practice on advising farm and food clients on issues that impact food production, manufacturing, and retail sale. She provides regulatory compliance counsel stemming within all eight missions areas of the USDA, including organic standards, trade promotion programs, farm safety net programs, risk management, conservation, rural development grant programs, and food and nutrition programs. Kristi also advises clients regarding foreign workforce solutions, compliance with the H-2A visa regulations, and policy guidance for agricultural labor and immigration reforms. Whether advising farmers, trade associations, cooperatives, food processors or grocers, Kristi’s enterprise-wide USDA experience gives her the unique ability to effectively provide regulatory compliance counsel and identify opportunities to actively engage policy makers for regulatory or legislative improvements with an eye for agency process.
Before joining Alston & Bird, Kristi served as a senior advisor to the Secretary of the USDA, where she implemented the secretary’s priorities and advised the secretary on decision-making. Kristi was the preeminent agricultural labor resource in the administration holding a policy role at the White House, where she served as the agricultural voice in drafting H-2A regulatory reforms and immigration legislation. She was active in implementation of the 2018 Farm Bill and pandemic response using Commodity Credit Corporation authority. Before her time in government, she served as the director of congressional relations at an agricultural trade association.
Bar Admissions
- District of Columbia
- Nebraska
- Iowa (Inactive)
Education
- University of Nebraska (J.D., 2009)
- University of Nebraska (B.S., 2004)
Memberships
- American Agricultural Law Association
- Calvary Women’s Services