NASDA Update with Sandison

From the Western Ag Network, I’m Bob Larson with today’s Fruit Grower Report. In mid-September, Washington State Director of Agriculture Derek Sandison was elected as the 2026–27 President of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture.

As the NASDA leader, Sandison now has a lot of challenges on his plate …

SANDISON … “Well, at NASDA we’re trying, you know, to deal with the severe problems we’re facing with respect to high input costs and weak product markets. In other words, low prices for farm products. And so, we’re trying very hard to work with Congress, with USDA, Food and Drug Administration, and others to produce outcomes that will help in dealing with those issues.”

And then, Sandison says there’s trying to get a new Farm Bill …

SANDISON … “A number of the provisions that are being considered in the Farm Bill, the current Senate version, we also think there will be additional amendments at some point to the Senate version, in conference with the House, but there’s so many measure within the Farm Bill that could be helpful in this situation that it’s very important that we advance that legislation on a bipartisan basis.”

And among the other challenges …

SANDISON … “One of the major tools we have is enhancement with trade or expansion of trade opportunities and creating bigger markets for our products. And I think that’s something that both NASDA and our department at the state level are deeply involved in.”

Again, that is Washington State Director of Agriculture, and new NASDA president, Derek Sandison.