After reflecting on my semester with NASDA, I am overwhelmed with gratitude. This opportunity alone has given me the chance to network, invest in the powerful actions NASDA is taking and learn from professionals who are intentional with the work they do daily. Growing up on my family's cow-calf operation in south central Kentucky, I developed a deep passion for the industry that feeds and clothes the world. At NASDA, I've had the opportunity to take that passion further and learn about the people who work tirelessly to support and amplify the efforts of American agriculturalists as state departments of agriculture.
Throughout the semester, I had the opportunity to attend various meetings with industry stakeholders, federal regulators and NASDA members to gain a richer perspective on how the agriculture industry forms connections and policies. One of the highlights of my semester at NASDA was attending the annual Winter Policy Conference. Contributing to the policy book and the event's operations allowed me to gain powerful skills, while connecting with partners and members of NASDA enabled me to form meaningful connections and receive thoughtful advice.
As the Spring public policy intern, I engaged with issues related to regional food systems and procurement, the rural veterinary shortage, New World Screwworm, the appropriations process and much more. I attended events at the U.S. Department of Agriculture on the newly released Dietary Guidelines for Americans and meetings with various congressional offices in discussing NASDA's policy priorities for the coming year on regional food procurement and distribution. Being able to collect, identify and highlight members' success stories and best practices in regional food procurement was an exciting and inspiring process for me, as I saw the role that state departments of agriculture play in bridging the food supply chain.
My time at NASDA immensely shaped my perspective on agricultural policy and the role of state departments of agriculture for the better. The opportunity to attend meetings with influential officials in the world of agricultural policy has been a fundamentally grounding and humbling experience for me, and I do not take the connections I have made lightly. I hope to take the lessons I've learned and the people I've connected with into my future with profound gratitude for NASDA and the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity it gave to a girl from rural Kentucky. As I continue my education at Oklahoma State University majoring in agricultural leadership, I will forever be reminded of the people who work tirelessly to invest in the success of our industry and its future, thanks to my time at NASDA.
