NASDA's 2025 Annual Meeting: Securing Our Future Through Agriculture

Commissioners, directors, and secretaries of agriculture gathered in Rogers, Arkansas, for the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture's (NASDA) 2025 Annual Meeting, with a record-breaking 569 attendees. The meeting focused on the vital role agriculture plays in safeguarding the nation's food supply, strengthening the economy, and protecting national security. Highlights from the meeting included remarks from prominent speakers and announcements on new initiatives and policies to address pressing issues such as PFAS contamination.

Key Takeaways:

• The America First Trade Promotion Program was announced, which will launch on October 1, 2025, to promote American agricultural trade.
• The PFAS and Agriculture Policy Workgroup released the nation's first comprehensive set of federal recommendations to address PFAS contamination of agricultural land, developed by American Farmland Trust and 16 other organizations.
• NASDA CEO Ted McKinney applauded the recommendations, stating that they offer much-needed solutions for protecting farmers, ranchers, and their families.
• NASDA elected Commissioner Amanda Beal (Maine) as its 2025-2026 President, and its Board of Directors.
• The organization also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the NASDA Foundation and the National Agricultural Law Center to strengthen agricultural policy education and student opportunities.

Statistics:

• 569 attendees attended the NASDA 2025 Annual Meeting, setting a record.
• 453 attendees were in-person, while 116 attended virtually.
• The PFAS and Agriculture Policy Workgroup consisted of 16 organizations, including American Farmland Trust and state departments of agriculture.
• October 1, 2025, is the launch date for the America First Trade Promotion Program.

Sources:

• National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA). (2025). 2025 Annual Meeting.