(NAFB.com) – The U.S. Meat Export Federation has honored former USDA trade chief Ted McKinney with its Michael J. Mansfield Award, recognizing his contributions to expanding American agricultural exports. McKinney, who served as undersecretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs during President Donald Trump’s first term, received the award last week at USMEF’s Strategic Planning Conference in Indianapolis. McKinney, an Indiana native and Purdue University graduate, said the recognition “came out of the blue.” He now leads the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture. USMEF created the award to honor Mansfield, a former Senate majority leader and U.S. ambassador to Japan known for strengthening U.S. trade relationships. Japan remains a top market for U.S. meat and other farm goods. McKinney credited his career at Dow AgroSciences, Elanco Animal Health and the Indiana Department of Agriculture for shaping his work in global trade. He said continued support for agricultural checkoff programs, including USMEF, remains essential to U.S. export growth.