It’s going to be a blockbuster year of policy issues for agriculture, starting off with the 2023 farm bill, which sets the tone and agenda for food and farming in the U.S. because it’s where priorities and budgets are set and funded by congress and the president.
Major farm states like California try to help set the national ag agenda every year by setting priorities in January and February, hoping in part to influence federal law-makers and legislation, along with USDA policy. This is extremely important because it’s on the state and local levels where things happen for farmers and others in agriculture.
The most important organization advocating for agriculture on the state level, particularly when it comes to federal funding, is The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA), which is a nonpartisan, nonprofit association which represents the elected and appointed commissioners, secretaries and directors of the departments of agriculture in all 50 states and four U.S. territories.
Each year, NASDA members, the commissioners, secretaries and directors of agriculture, hand-select the key issues that will serve as the organization’s primary policy focus for the coming year.
For 2023, NASAD has selected these 7 issues as their primary policy focus in advocating for farmers and agriculture:
- The 2023 Farm Bill
- Animal Health
- Environmental Regulations
- Food Production and the Supply Chain
- Food Safety
- International Trade
- Workforce Development
In late January, NASDA CEO Ted McKinney described why these issues were chosen along with their importance for 2023, saying: “These issues were chosen for the organization’s 2023 focus as NASDA members see specific opportunities for progress regarding each of these areas to best serve farmers, ranchers and all communities across the nation. Further, we believe these are the areas where state departments of agriculture are uniquely positioned to lead impact and direct policy-making solutions this year.”
Below is a summary of each issue, according to McKinney:
Farm Bill
The next farm bill must remain unified, securing a commitment to American agriculture and the critical food and nutritional assistance programs for those who need it most.
Environmental Regulation
NASDA supports the science-based and comprehensive regulatory framework the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act provides to ensure environmental and public health protection. NASDA stands ready to assist the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in implementing FIFRA, ensuring our environment, including endangered species, is protected and U.S. farmers and public health officials have access to the technologies they need.
Regarding the recently published “waters of the U.S.” rule, NASDA will continue to impress the role of states in regulating non-navigable waters.
Food Production and the Supply Chain
NASDA is committed to ensuring long-term stability and resilience in our nation’s food supply chain through supporting projects to increase U.S. meat processing, food and nutrition security and reducing food waste.
Food Safety
NASDA will continue to advocate for funding state Food Safety Modernization Act programs because state departments of agriculture are the front line of protection for consumers when it comes to food safety. State agencies, including state departments of agriculture, play a vital role in implementing and enforcing our nation’s food safety and inspection laws.
Animal Health
NASDA is committed to working with intergovernmental agencies and industry stakeholders to foster a collaborative approach to animal health initiatives, especially in protecting U.S. livestock from foreign and emerging animal diseases.
International Trade
To increase export opportunities for U.S. food, agriculture and forestry producers NASDA is asking Congress and the Biden Administration to leverage existing trading relationships, secure new trade agreements, fully fund trade promotion programs and engage with global trade institutions. NASDA continues to advocate for the promotion of science-and-evidence based trade standards globally.
Workforce development NASDA is committed to working with the federal government, private industry and academia to identify and address agricultural workforce challenges.
Here in California another major policy issue – perhaps the leading issue – along with those above is the amount of water allocated to farmers for irrigation in 2023.
The recent heavy rain storms and growing snow pack have changed the equation, taking the state from severe drought to somewhere far better off than that. All the new water and snow though doesn’t necessarily mean farmers will receive a greater water allocation than they did in 2022, when the state was designated as being in a severe drought.
A decision by the water board on water allocation won’t be made until April. February and March are going to be two key months for agriculture and water policy in California. The noise will be loud and the debate will be vigorous.
My Job Depends on Ag Magazine columnist and contributing editor Victor Martino is an agrifood industry consultant, entrepreneur and writer. One of his passions and current projects is working with farmers who want to develop their own branded food products. You can contact him at: victormartino415@gmail.com.
