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NASDA sets policy during winter meeting
The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture developed policies surrounding climate resiliency, broadband, mental health, hemp, and closing the rural opportunity gap during its recent winter policy conference.
Indiana State Department of Agriculture Director Bruce Kettler was there… “The NASDA winter policy conference focuses on policy that effects all of agriculture and all the state departments of agriculture,” he says. “Hemp continues to be a topic of significant discussion, particularly around some of the issues and concerns that states are finding as they submit their hemp plans to the USDA for approval so there was some talk and work there.”
Two hemp policies addressing implementation challenges were passed. They include: extending the mandatory date of October 31st for states to change from pilot programs and calling for a hemp data reporting system.
NASDA members voted to launch their call to action to reduce the rural opportunity gap. They also voted to urge congress to continue funding for rural broadband access and the US Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network.
Kettler said the winter policy meeting was a great opportunity to meet with other state ag directors, commissioners, and secretaries.
“It’s a great to be able to hear other perspectives- that’s part of what we do,” he says.
Kettler is chair of NASDA’s Plant Agriculture and Pesticide Regulation Committee.
The Theme of this year’s conference was “uniting all for agriculture” to highlight the importance of including a variety of voices to address today’s food and agriculture challenges.
Audio: Bruce Kettler, Indiana State Department of Agriculture
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