Late last week, DATCP Secretary Randy Romanski joined the 2022 National Association of State Departments of Agriculture annual meeting. It included discussions with federal government officials and conversations with state secretaries, commissioners, and directors from across the country.
“The theme of this year’s annual meeting was ‘Still Growing,’ and this message resonated throughout the event,” Romanski said. “The nation’s agriculture industry continues to grow in numerous ways including production, diversification, and innovation.”
USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack gave remarks during the meeting’s opening plenary session. He spoke about the importance of the agricultural workforce and the many careers available for young people in the industry.
“This meeting provides a forum to share ideas and consider additional opportunities for collaboration across agriculture,” Romanski added.
He says he was proud to speak to his colleagues about the investments the state has made in the future of the ag industry, such as the Meat Talent Development program and the Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports.
Romanski represented the state in policy discussions on various agricultural topics such as animal health, food safety and international trade. The group passed several policy amendments and action items, including the need to fund mental health programs and for further investments in nutrition and food security.
The annual meeting included a discussion with FDA leaders about produce safety, Romanski explained.
“NASDA members also reinforced its 2023 Farm Bill priorities throughout the meeting, including the need to support conservation and climate resiliency, invest in local food systems, and fund agriculture research,” he said.
At the annual meeting, NASDA also celebrated its 50 year partnership with the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. State departments of agriculture rely on NASS data for decision making and policy development. The first formal state-federal cooperative agreement between NASS and an individual state was signed with Wisconsin in 1917.
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