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State ag directors share policy priorities

Directors of state departments of agriculture are working to ensure policies are beneficial to America’s farmers and ranchers.

Current NASDA president, Oklahoma Ag Secretary Blayne Arthur, says getting a farm bill completed is at the top of the association’s list.

“NASDA has certainly engaged over really the last couple of years with our priorities,” she says.

She tells Brownfield expanding trade opportunities is crucial to farmer profitability.

“How can we access those markets and how can we have better conversations,” she says. “We’re certainly very appreciative that the foreign ag service has had a great presence here at our meeting, because we live in a global market so what that trade policy looks like makes a big big difference to our farmers all across the U.S.”

Kansas ag secretary Mike Beam says protecting U.S. livestock from a foreign animal disease outbreak is also a priority. 

“For any products that we import into the United States, we have, pretty high standards to protect our livestock and to also protect human health,” he says.

Brownfield interviewed Arthur and Beam during the 2024 National Association of State Ag Directors Annual Meeting.

AUDIO: Mike Beam, Kansas Ag Secretary

AUDIO: Blayne Arthur, Oklahoma Ag Secretary