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Nation’s agriculture directors elect Loveland president of NASDA

OLYMPIA – Congress will be hearing the perspective of the 50 state departments of agriculture as it debates national farm policy for the next year under the leadership of a director from “the other Washington.”

Valoria Loveland, director of the Washington State Department of Agriculture, is the new president of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA). She assumed the presidency on Tuesday during the group’s annual meeting in Norfolk, VA.

As president of NASDA, Loveland will represent the states’ interests in national farm policy. Loveland will continue to bring a western perspective to national agriculture issues with insights into water policy, grazing on public lands, grain crops, and specialty crops such as apples, potatoes and cherries.

During Loveland’s tenure, Congress will be crafting the 2007 farm bill, a sweeping law reauthorized every five years that governs U.S. agricultural policy, rural development, housing, conservation programs and a host of other issues important to the farm economy and rural communities.

“I look forward to working with members of Congress to develop an effective national farm policy that supports diverse interests in every corner of the country,” said Loveland. “The farm bill is so broad and touches so many issues relevant to rural communities. In Washington state, it benefits farming families, but also conservation programs to support salmon recovery, international trade promotion and clean energy production. I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

Loveland was appointed to serve as director of the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) in June 2002. She oversees a state agency responsible for animal health, plant inspections, pesticide regulation, food safety, fruit and grain inspection and certification, and the marketing of agricultural products regionally and internationally. She is a former state senator, treasurer of Franklin County, WA and chair of the state’s Public Disclosure Commission.

Loveland is the first woman to serve as president of NASDA since the association’s beginnings in 1915. She is also the first woman appointed to serve as the director of the WSDA.

Washington state will host NASDA’s annual meeting next year in Seattle on Sept. 21-26.

NASDA is comprised of the commissioners, secretaries and directors of the 50 state departments of agriculture. The group represents the state departments of agriculture in the development, implementation, and communication of public policy and programs that support and promote U.S. agriculture. For more information, see NASDA’s Web site at http://www2.nasda.org/NASDA.

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