ted mckinney

Thursday, we told you about the EPA releasing an updated draft Insecticide Strategy, and U.S. agriculture groups and supporters reacted to the news.   "EPA’s numerous pragmatic improvements to the draft Insecticide Strategy have created a final strategy that can be better implemented by applicators while also protecting threatened and endangered species,” said NASDA CEO, and former under secr

The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture has set its priority agenda for the year with the passage of a complete new Farm Bill at the top of that list, to no one's surprise, but there are others on there as well.  Ted McKinney, CEO of NASDA says research funding to universities is close behind.  ...

At its 2025 Winter Policy Conference, the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture called on Congress to develop comprehensive strategies to address agricultural labor challenges and border security.  The new policy item says comprehensive agricultural labor reform is needed to allow access to the H-2A program for year-round agriculture industries, creating a pathway to legal statu

By a 72-28 vote Thursday, Brooke Rollins was confirmed as the 33rd Secretary of Agriculture.  House Ag Committee Member, Central Washington Representative Dan Newhouse said he was excited when the vote became official.   “I'm delighted that a farm girl from Texas who knows something about agriculture is going to be at the helm of the USDA at a time when agriculture is facing a lot of challenges,&q

The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture has set its federal policy focus for 2025.  The organization's Board of Directors chose five issues to serve as the organization’s primary policy focus for 2025. They include the Farm Bill, food systems, pesticide regulations, PFAS and state cooperative agreement funding.   “NASDA members have specified the...

Foreign animal diseases and ag trade were among the topics during the Tri-National Agriculture Accord hosted last month by the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, NASDA.  The meeting brought together ag leaders from across the U.S., Mexic...

Earlier this week, the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture announced the organization’s primary policy focus for 2023.  NASDA members, the state commissioners, secretaries and directors of agriculture, hand-selected seven issues to focus on.   The is...

Last week, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture members and leadership traveled to Vietnam.  The delegation embarked on the organization's first trade mission to explore global emerging markets through the Department of Agriculture Emerging Markets Program.   ...

The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture was recently awarded a USDA grant worth $925,000 through the Foreign Agricultural Services’ Emerging Markets Program.  The EMP helps organizations promote exports of agricultural products to developing countries with strong growth potential.   “...

The Oregon Department of Agriculture will need to search for a new Director, after the Senate voted Wednesday to confirm Alexis Taylor as Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs.   Taylor was first tapped to serve as ODA Director by Governor Kate Brown in 2016.  Pr...