State ag department leaders to share insights at third annual Western conference
The conference is co-hosted by the National Agricultural Law Center and the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture Foundation.
By Drew Viguet
National Agricultural Law Center
U of A System Division of Agriculture
March 6, 2025
Fast facts:
- Panel at NALC-NASDA Foundation conference discusses state ag departments
- Arkansas Secretary of Ag Wes Ward will moderate
- Conference registration (including livestream option) is online
(495 words)
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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Attendees of the third annual Western Water, Agricultural, and Environmental Law Conference will have the opportunity to hear perspectives on water, agriculture, and food policy issues from top Western state leadership.
The session, “Western Water, Ag, & Food: Perspectives from State Departments of Agriculture,” will be moderated by Wes Ward, Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture and current president of NASDA, the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture. The conference is co-hosted by the National Agricultural Law Center, or NALC, and the NASDA Foundation.
The panel will feature:
- J.J. Goicoechea, DVM, director of the Nevada Department of Agriculture
- Christy Clark, director of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
- Jeff Witte, director and secretary of the New Mexico Department of Agriculture
The Western will be held June 19-20 in Reno, Nevada, with a livestream option. The Western also features the opportunity for continuing education credit, as well as continuing education from the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers. Full information and registration can be found online at nationalaglawcenter.org/western2025.
“Conference attendees can expect an engaging, interactive session that tackles the challenges and opportunities facing Western agriculture,” said NALC Director Harrison Pittman. “It’s a great, fun opportunity to hear directly from state agriculture leaders and ask questions about important issues.”
About the session
“I’m excited to have the opportunity to moderate a panel of some of the best in the business as we discuss important agricultural topics that impact the West,” said Ward. “This panel will provide important insights into state departments of agriculture and how we can all work together.”
Goicoechea, a returning Western panelist, brings a unique perspective from his longtime experience as a veterinarian and rancher.
“State agriculture departments are where policy and practicality meet,” Goicoechea said. “This session is a great opportunity to discuss how we navigate complex issues like water availability, livestock health, and land management while supporting Western producers.”
Clark, who previously served as director of the Montana Department of Agriculture, said the session will be insightful for both stakeholders and the panelists.
“It’s a must-attend session for anyone working in or with Western agriculture,” Clark said. “I’m looking forward to discussing our role in agriculture with this talented panel, and how we can continue assisting the Western agriculture community.”
Witte, who has led the New Mexico Department of Agriculture for over a decade and is a past NASDA president, emphasized the collaborative role of state agriculture departments in addressing regional challenges.
“Water, land, and regulatory issues don’t just stop at state lines,” he said. “During this session, we have the opportunity to share ideas and experiences, explore common challenges, and discuss how we can work together for the benefit of Western producers.”
More information on state agriculture departments can be found online at nasda.org/about-nasda/state-agriculture-departments.
For information about the NALC, visit nationalaglawcenter.org. The NALC is also on X, Facebook and LinkedIn. Subscribe online to receive NALC Communications, including webinar announcements, the NALC’s Quarterly Newsletter, and The Feed.
About the National Agricultural Law Center
Created by Congress in 1987, the National Agricultural Law Center serves as the nation’s leading source of agricultural and food law research and information. The NALC works with producers, agribusinesses, state and federal policymakers, lenders, Congressional staffers, attorneys, land grant universities, students, and many others to provide objective, nonpartisan agricultural and food law research and information to the nation’s agricultural community.
The NALC is a unit of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and works in close partnership with the USDA Agricultural Research Service, National Agricultural Library.
About the NASDA Foundation
The NASDA Foundation is the only educational and research organization that directly serves the nation’s state departments of agriculture. It is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The mission of the NASDA Foundation is to advance agriculture to shape a changing world.
For more information on the NASDA Foundation, visit nasda.org/nasda-foundation. The NASDA Foundation is also on X, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on three campuses.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Media contact:
Drew Viguet
Communications & Special Projects Coordinator
National Agricultural Law Center
dviguet@uark.edu