Press Release – 

Arlington, VA

The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) today launched their call to action for the next Administration, Resilience for Rural AmericaThe Board of Directors approved the initiative during the 2020 NASDA Winter Policy Conference in Arlington, Virginia this week.

“Closing the rural opportunity gap isn’t a red or blue issue, and we can no longer wait,” said NASDA CEO Dr. Barb Glenn. “NASDA Members are ready to get to work. We are using our unique, nonpartisan voice for rural America to set clear expectations for the next Administration.”

As NASDA engages Presidential campaigns and works cooperatively with the next Administration, we are calling on the federal government to partner with states to invest in building resilient rural communities.

To do this, NASDA is asking the next Presidential Administration to:

  • Expand Market Opportunities for U.S. Producers
  • Increase Access to Rural Broadband
  • Enhance Rural Workforce Development Opportunities
  • Build and Sustain Rural Communities
  • Invest in Climate Resiliency Programs

NASDA Members are already leading the response to many of Rural America’s most complex challenges, including extreme weather, market uncertainty, and long-term economic headwinds. In the coming months, NASDA will continue to refine the Resilience for Rural America policy platform.

“As state governments, we can’t do this alone. To truly build opportunity in agricultural and our rural communities, all levels of government must work together to chart a path forward.”

NASDA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit association which representants 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 agriculture by forging partnerships and creating consensus to achieve sound policy outcomes between state departments of agriculture, the federal government and stakeholders.