NASDA

Access to fresh, locally grown food depends on strong connections between farmers, food businesses and communities. Across the country, NASDA members are supporting innovative efforts that strengthen regional food systems and expand market opportunities for producers. @MichDeptofAg's Farm to Family Program is helping build those connections in its state by investing in food hubs, farm stops grants and local supply chain infrastructure. Learn more about how the program is supporting Michigan farmers and improving local food access here: nasda.org/michigan-agric…

In honor of the International Year of the Woman Farmer, @MdAgDept asked women farmers to share their advice for the next generation of young women entering agriculture. Katie Troy of North Acres Farm emphasized that perseverance and continuous learning are essential, encouraging women in agriculture to stay curious, seek mentors and never stop growing in an ever-evolving industry. Read more about Katie’s story: nasda.org/katie-troy/ @MDsBest

NASDA applauds the passing of H.R. 7567, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, which prioritizes provisions that strengthen local food purchasing programs, enhance international market opportunities, reauthorize the three-legged stool for foreign animal disease prevention and preserve the viability of the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. NASDA will use this momentum as it works with the leadership of the Senate Agriculture Committee to introduce its version of the farm bill. nasda.org/nasda-applauds…

@IADeptAg Choose Iowa program demonstrates the essential role state departments of agriculture can play in developing community-based food systems. Mekenze Cortum of Cortum Farm and Co had a vision of creating a community-centered farm, and she was able to make her dream a reality with support from the Choose Iowa Grant program. She transformed a century-old barn into a retail and event space that now serves as a local aggregation point for regional products, showcasing how strategic state-led investments can improve access to regional foods while opening new markets for local farmers. Learn more about how state departments of agriculture participate in regional food procurement and distribution: nasda.org/strengthening-…

Last week, NASDA Public Policy Senior Director RJ Karney served as a panelist for a briefing on the current status of New World Screwworm. Discussion centered on prevention and response efforts underway at both the federal and state levels, and risks and considerations related to the ongoing outbreak in other countries. NASDA is supportive of the strong collaboration and success achieved by the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, FDA and states working together to address this issue. Read more of the updated response playbook: nasda.org/nasda-commends…

Through the Lighthouse Charities’ Rose Creek Farm community farm and workforce training program, Cindy Trussel works side by side with refugee trainees on vegetable plots, hydroponic beds, vermicomposting stations and a flock of chickens. Through her work leading agricultural policy and programs, Cindy aims to "translate big picture goals into on the ground practice, ensuring policies serve real people and real farms." As we celebrate International Year of the Woman Farmer, NASDA is proud to recognize leaders like Cindy who bring resilience and innovation to agriculture and their communities. Read her story: nasda.org/cindy-trussel/

NASDA supports expanding and codifying funding for the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program. Investments in infrastructure like transportation, aggregation, cold storage and processing are needed to help close gaps between farm production and distribution, ensuring farmers can reliably reach reliable and consistent markets. Read other NASDA recommendations on how to protect regional food procurement and distribution here: nasda.org/wp-content/upl…

Celebrating Earth Day! Today, NASDA members and staff participated in the 8th Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agricultural Leadership Earth Day Meeting, where they heard updates on the organization’s current activities, state-led efforts and remarks from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The meeting also featured conservation highlights from the Maryland and Pennsylvania departments of agriculture, a report from NASDA CEO Ted McKinney and farm tours. Attendees included @MdAgDept Secretary Kevin Atticks, @PAAgriculture Secretary Russell Redding, @VaAgriculture Commissioner Charles Green, @WVDeptofAg staff, NASDA CEO Ted McKinney and NASDA Foundation Sr. Director Chris Jones.

Yesterday, NASDA hosted an intern lunch where D.C.-area interns met with NASDA Sr. Director of Public Policy RJ Karney and Director of Public Policy Patrick Wade to learn about NASDA, state departments of agriculture and our policy priorities, as well as ask questions. Thank you to everyone who joined us!

As part of the International Year of the Woman Farmer, NASDA continues to recognize women whose leadership, dedication and innovation strengthens agriculture across the U.S. Mary Ann Schramm, who owns Peaceful Valley Farm with her husband in Connecticut, exemplifies her commitment to stewardship, soil health and lifelong learning through her operation. Read Mary Ann’s full Q&A: nasda.org/mary-ann-schra…

Grateful to Senator Daines and all Senators advancing these efforts. Continued focus on strengthening USMCA helps ensure stability for U.S. industries, workers, and supply chains. #USMCA

NASDA joined a coalition letter urging Congress to include funding for local and regional procurement of domestically produced agricultural products in any upcoming farmer economic relief package. As family farmers and ranchers continue to face severe economic pressure driven by market volatility, rising costs, trade disruptions, and extreme weather, the groups asked Congress to pair relief with investments that build stronger domestic markets and create reliable demand for American-grown products. Read more: nasda.org/coalition-urge…

NASDA applauds The Rockefeller Foundation for their ‘Food is Medicine’ economic research. Connecting local farmers with institutions like hospitals, schools and food banks can help expand access to a variety of nutrient-dense foods while supporting new economic and domestic market opportunities for farmers and producers. Read more on how the ‘Food is Medicine’ movement can build stronger communities and advance food security here: rockefellerfoundation.org/news/new-rocke…

@IADeptAg Choose Iowa program demonstrates the essential role state departments of agriculture can play in developing resilient, community-based food systems. Chef Suman of HoQ Restaurant in Des Moines exemplifies the impact of Choose Iowa on both producers and culinary professionals as he sources Iowa-grown products for his menus and expanded his business operations and infrastructure. Through Choose Iowa, Chef Suman not only elevated his business profile but also expanded market opportunities for local agricultural producers. Learn more about how state departments of agriculture participate in regional food procurement and distribution: nasda.org/strengthening-…

As NASDA continues celebrating the International Year of the Woman Farmer, we’re proud to spotlight leaders like Heather Martin, owner of Hyldemoer + Co., LLC, who is working to bring less-common agricultural products directly to her community. Drawing on her experience with the @NASDAFoundation’s Florida Farm2Food Program, a background in biology and time spent in commercial farm operations, Heather built her farm with resilience and innovation at its core. She encourages other women in agriculture to believe in their vision and forge their own path. Read the full Q&A to learn more about Heather’s journey, the challenges she’s overcome and her advice for the next generation of women in agriculture. nasda.org/heather-martin/

Farmers are eager to supply a variety of nutrient-dense foods to their communities while many institutions like hospitals and schools are seeking ways to procure more local foods. NASDA supports strategic federal investments to strengthen regional food systems through resilient infrastructure and flexible state-led food-purchasing cooperative agreement programs to expand institutional procurement opportunities for local and regional foods. Read NASDA’s specific recommendations here: nasda.org/wp-content/upl…

NASDA commends USDA for incorporating stakeholder feedback into the updated New World screwworm response playbook announced today. Combating the spread of animal and plant pests and diseases is a key responsibility for most state departments of agriculture to protect the livestock industry and, more broadly, to secure our food supply. Read more: nasda.org/nasda-commends…

NASDA recently welcomed the newest cohort of the New Jersey Agricultural Leadership Development Program, which provides educational programming for individuals involved in farming and agribusiness. NASDA CEO Ted McKinney and Sr. Director of Public Policy RJ Karney shared insights on the role of state departments of agriculture and NASDA’s member-driven policy priorities as well as answering questions from cohort. Thank you for joining us at our office and for the opportunity to connect and discuss the future of agriculture!

From discovering agriculture at Virginia Tech to building a family-run farm with her husband and advocating for the industry, Morgan Washburn is using her voice to show that agriculture is not just farming, but "education, leadership, innovation, and community." As we continue to recognize International Year of the Woman Farmer, her story showcases that there is a place for everyone in the agriculture industry. Read the full Q&A to learn how Morgan is growing her farm, championing women in ag and shaping the next generation. nasda.org/morgan-washbur…

NASDA is excited to announce the hiring of Madison Sifford as communications coordinator, where she will help advance the organization’s communications strategy and increase the visibility of state departments of agriculture’s work. Learn more about Madison and join us in welcoming her to the organization: nasda.org/nasda-welcomes…