Sandison New NASDA President and Judge Pauses USDA Scramble
From the Western Ag Network, I’m Bob Larson with your Agribusiness Update.
**During the 2026 National Association of State Departments of Agriculture Annual Meeting in Maine, members elected Washington State Ag Director Derek Sandison as NASDA’s 2026–27 President.
Sandison will lead NASDA in hosting the 2027 Annual Meeting, next September in Kennewick, Washington.
The gathering will bring in ag leaders from across the country, highlighting Washington’s farms, fisheries and forests, and reinforcing NASDA’s role in shaping smart ag policy.
**The USDA is asking farmers to share their experiences with fertilizer prices and industry consolidation as federal officials investigate whether the market is operating fairly.
Deputy Ag Secretary Stephen Vaden made the request during a meeting with farmers, saying individual stories could help the Federal Trade Commission investigate potential unfair pricing or anti-competitive practices in the fertilizer industry.
Vaden says a large number of farmer experiences would be difficult to dismiss.
**A federal judge is considering a temporary pause on USDA plans to relocate employees across the country, a move that could affect where farmers access agency services.
U.S. District Court Judge Vince Chhabria (CHUB-ree-ah) said he may issue an administrative stay to give him more time to review a lawsuit challenging USDA’s reorganization.
Chhabria said the stay could block USDA from moving forward with relocations until October 2.
