NASDA holds winter policy conference

WASHINGTON — The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture held its 2025 Winter Policy Conference.

Members adopted 16 policy amendments and 10 action items.

Highlights of the session included:

Biofuels Production

NASDA members voted to amend the organization’s biofuels policies to increase support for domestic and global demand for American-produced biofuels.

“NASDA recognizes the importance biofuels play in the future of agricultural production, energy independence and our economy,” said NASDA CEO Ted McKinney.

“State agriculture departments see greater demand for biofuels as a win-win for their mission to enhance agricultural production and strengthen rural economies across the nation.”

Avian Influenza

Members amended the organization’s policy to support the implementation of a robust national action plan for the detection, surveillance, response and containment of highly pathogenic avian influenza.

“U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins’ remarks made to NASDA members this morning announced that these steps are already underway, and NASDA stands ready to collaborate with USDA and federal agencies to ensure the United States’ collective response to HPAI is coordinated, efficient and effective at all levels,” McKinney said.

Members passed two related action items — one calling for a national vaccine strategy led by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, coordinated with industry and the National Association of State Animal Health Officials.

The second action item urges Congress to enact comprehensive legislation that supports the APHIS indemnity and compensation program for foreign animal disease outbreaks.

Local Food

Members passed several policy amendments promoting increased programs for local and regional foods through federal policies and programs for states.

They adopted policy supporting the permanent establishment and funding of the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Programs, or any successor programs, administered by the USDA.

Members supported easing procurement regulations for schools participating in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs, increasing their ability to purchase more food from in-state sources or nearby regions.

Members also supported policies and programs that reduce administrative burdens on school districts, as well as increase resources to support the preparation, storage and introduction of local and regional foods into school meals.

Labor Reform

NASDA members urged Congress to initiate labor reform for agriculture, including addressing agricultural labor stability challenges along with border security.

The new policy item states comprehensive agricultural labor reform is needed to allow access to the H-2A program for year-round agriculture industries, create a pathway to legal status for agriculture and agribusiness workers who are employed and provide greater border security.

“Labor shortages in the agricultural industry affect the entire supply chain, making it more difficult for the country to compete in the global marketplace and weakening our local economies,” McKinney said.

“Given the range of agricultural production represented by NASDA members and the nonpartisan nature of our organization, NASDA intends to continue to be actively engaged on labor reform at the national level.”