National Association of State Departments of Agriculture

National Association of State Departments of Agriculture is a non-profit organization that represents the United States Department of Agriculture and state departments of agriculture in all 50 states. The organization works closely with the United States Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, the United States House Committee on Agriculture, and other federal agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency. NASDA also collaborates with other organizations, including the National Farmers Union, the American Farm Bureau Federation, and the National Association of Counties.

● History

The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture was founded in 1916 by a group of state secretaries of agriculture, including Henry Cantwell Wallace, who later became the United States Secretary of Agriculture. The organization's early years were marked by its involvement in World War I efforts, working with the United States Department of War and the United States Department of the Navy to promote agricultural production and support the war effort. NASDA also played a key role in the development of the Agricultural Adjustment Administration during the Great Depression, working with President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Secretary of Agriculture Henry A. Wallace. Throughout its history, NASDA has worked with notable figures such as Eleanor Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman, and Dwight D. Eisenhower.

● Organization

The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, and its staff works closely with the National Governors Association, the National Conference of State Legislatures, and other state and local government organizations. NASDA is also a member of the National Association of State Energy Officials and the Environmental Council of the States. The organization's structure includes a board of directors composed of state commissioners of agriculture, who work with the United States Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service and the United States Trade Representative to promote agricultural trade and development.

● Membership

The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture has 50 member states, each represented by its state department of agriculture. Member states include Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Arizona Department of Agriculture, and others. NASDA also has associate members, including Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture and the United States Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture. The organization works with other state and local government agencies, such as the California Department of Food and Agriculture, the Texas Department of Agriculture, and the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.

● Policy Priorities

The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture has several policy priorities, including agricultural trade and development, food safety, and sustainable agriculture. NASDA works with the United States Congress to promote legislation such as the Farm Bill and the Agricultural Act of 2014. The organization also collaborates with the European Union, the World Trade Organization, and other international organizations to promote global agricultural trade and development. NASDA's policy priorities are influenced by the work of notable organizations such as the National Academy of Sciences, the National Research Council, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

● Programs and Initiatives

The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture has several programs and initiatives, including the NASDA Foundation, which supports agricultural education and development. The organization also has a fellowship program that provides opportunities for state department of agriculture employees to work with the United States Department of Agriculture and other federal agencies. NASDA's programs and initiatives are supported by partnerships with organizations such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The organization also works with universities and research institutions, including the University of California, Davis, the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and the Texas A&M University.

● Leadership and Governance

The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture is led by a board of directors composed of state commissioners of agriculture, who are elected by the member states. The organization's president serves a one-year term and is supported by a vice president and a secretary-treasurer. NASDA's leadership works closely with the United States Secretary of Agriculture and other federal officials, including the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration. The organization's governance structure is influenced by the work of notable leaders such as Tom Vilsack, Dan Glickman, and Ann Veneman.

Category:Agriculture in the United States