NASDA's New President
From the Western Ag Network, I’m Bob Larson. Washington State Department of Agriculture Director, Derek Sandison was just elected president of the National Association of State Directors of Agriculture for 2026-27.
Sandison says NASDA is a group of ag leaders from around the country that do what they can to help our nation’s food producers …
SANDISON … “Well, it’s an organization that consists of all 50 states. The Ag Directors, Commissioners, the Secretaries, from all 50 states and four territories. And it’s, you know, based on the premise that collectively, we have a much stronger voice than any individual state or territory.”
And, Sandison says serving as the NASDA president is a true privilege …
SANDISON … “Yes, absolutely. I mean, it’s a great honor and there’s just many, many of the countries’ ag Directors, Secretaries, Commissioners that are just tremendous leaders in the ag world and it’s just an honor to represent them.”
And the president’s home determines the location of the NASDA Annual meeting …
SANDISON … “And that’s why Kennewick is the chosen location, because it is, sort of, in the heart of ag country. So, we think Three Rivers Convention Center is a great location, and the expansion they’ve recently done, just helps us out in terms of being able to manage the size and number of participants that we anticipate.”
That will be next September, to support farming across the country …
SANDISON … “We have a strong advocacy role in D.C., and for that matter around the country.”
Again, that is Derek Sandison, Washington State Director of Agriculture.
