State Agriculture Officials Conclude 2025 Annual Meeting with Several Announcements and Special Guests

Press Release

ROGERS, Ark. - The nation's commissioners, directors and secretaries of agriculture gathered in Rogers, Arkansas, for NASDA's 2025 Annual Meeting to collaborate on leading advancements, challenges and opportunities impacting the agricultural industry with a record-breaking 453 in-person and 116 virtual attendees.

"Guided by this year's theme, 'Securing Our Future Through Agriculture,' we hosted productive discussions focused on the vital role agriculture plays in safeguarding our nation's food supply, strengthening the economy and protecting national security," NASDA CEO Ted McKinney said.

Highlights from the meeting included:

Remarks from Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sandersand U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins. Rollins announced the establishment of the America First Trade Promotion Program, which will launch on Oct. 1, 2025.

The PFAS and Agriculture Policy Workgroup released the nation's first comprehensive set of federal recommendations to address PFAS contamination of agricultural land. The workgroup led by American Farmland Trust and 16 farmer, commodity, conservation, research and health groups, as well as state departments of agriculture and NASDA, contributed to the recommendations. NASDA CEO Ted McKinney gave a statement on the group's announcement at NASDA's conference.

"State departments of agriculture have been working directly with farmers and ranchers as Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have steadily emerged across the United States. NASDA is proud to support these pragmatic recommendations as they offer much-needed solutions for protecting farmers, ranchers and their families and keeping farms and ranches safely open for business. NASDA encourages the Administration and Congress to find opportunities to adopt these nonpartisan policies to maintain the safety and abundance of the U.S. food supply," NASDA CEO Ted McKinney said.

NASDA elected its 2025-2026 President, Commissioner Amanda Beal (Maine), and Board of Directors. NASDA President Beal also appointed NASDA's 2025-2026 policy committee leadership. NASDA's 2026 Board of Directors includes:

• President: Commissioner Amanda Beal, Maine
• Vice President: Director Derek Sandison, Washington
• Second Vice President: Secretary Mike Naig, Iowa
• Secretary-Treasurer: Commissioner Tyler Harper, Georgia
• Past President: Secretary Wes Ward, Arkansas
• At-Large: Director Jillien Streit, Montana

Massachusetts Commissioner Ashley Randle, Maryland Secretary Kevin Atticks, Wisconsin Secretary Randy Romanski and Arizona Director Paul Brierley will serve as the Northeastern, Southern, Midwestern and Western representatives respectively.

NASDA, NASDA Foundation and the National Agricultural Law Center signed a MOU to strengthen agricultural policy education and student opportunities. Through this agreement, the three institutions committed to strengthening their longstanding partnership by launching new student-focused programs and hosting joint conferences. The MOU also creates opportunities to further shared agricultural education and public engagement efforts.

NASDA announced its 2025 Honor Award recipients and NASDA staff awards.
NASDA recognized three exemplary employees of state departments of agriculture for their service, awarded SAS as the NASDA Public-Private Partnership Award winner and honored five NASDA & NASDA Foundation staff for their contributions to the organization.

Senior Director of Public Policy RJ Karney and Manager of Food Safety Programs Jennifer Roland were recognized for five years of service with NASDA. Associate Director of Grants and Finance Ellen Roth was awarded the Outstanding NASDA Staff Award for "continuing to go above and beyond her role as a staff member." Former NASDA Foundation Senior Policy and Science Advisor Bob Ehart and current NASDA NASS Program Director Charlie Ingram were honored for their 20+ years of service to NASDA and recent retirement announcements.

NASDA also welcomed 17 NASDA Next Generation studentsto the conference.
The students engaged with leaders in agricultural policy and industry, fostered professional connections and joined state and federal policy discussions.

Photos from the entire event can be found on NASDA's website. Previously registered attendees are able to re-watch sessions in the online event portal.

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NASDA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit association which represents the elected and appointed commissioners, secretaries, and directors of the departments of agriculture in all fifty states and four U.S. territories. NASDA grows and enhances American agriculture through policy, partnerships and public engagement.