Update from the Potomac: U.S. congressional staff to share insights at upcoming ag conferences
“Decisions made in D.C. impact the nation’s agricultural community. Whether we’re
talking about federal lands in the West or trade markets affecting farmers across
the South, these issues are complex and evolve quickly.”
—Fitzhugh Elder IV
By Drew Viguet
National Agricultural Law Center
U of A System Division of Agriculture
May 22, 2025
Fast facts:
- Conference panelists will discuss the latest on ag from Capitol Hill
- Sessions are part of Mid-South and Western ag law conferences
- Registration, including livestream option, is online
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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — From trade and tariffs to pesticide regulations, the Farm Bill and beyond, there is no shortage of ag-related developments from Capitol Hill — and two prominent congressional staffers will offer updates on federal actions impacting agriculture at upcoming conferences.
Fitzhugh Elder IV, Republican staff director for the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, and Clark Ogilvie, special counsel for the Democratic staff of the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture, will lead the “Update from the Potomac” panels at the 12th Annual Mid-South Agricultural and Environmental Law Conference and the 3rd Annual Western Water, Agricultural, and Environmental Law Conference.
The two conferences are hosted by the National Agricultural Law Center, or NALC, and the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture Foundation, or NASDA Foundation. Both programs offer continuing legal education credit, including ethics, as well as continuing education from the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers.
Both Elder and Ogilvie are returning conference speakers.
“Fitzhugh and Clark are in the room for many important federal discussions that shape agriculture and the environment,” NALC Director Harrison Pittman said. “Their insights will help Mid-South and Western attendees better understand and anticipate policy shifts that affect their operations, legal practices and businesses. We’re honored for them to return to these programs and share their perspectives.”
The session titles vary slightly by location to reflect each conference’s regional focus:
- Mid-South: “Update from the Potomac: Farm Bill, Ag Trade, EPA, and Related Federal Issues”
- Western: “Update from the Potomac: Farm Bill, Public Lands, and Related Issues”
Registration for both conference programs can be found on the NALC website at nationalaglawcenter.org/legaleducation.
Elder said he looks forward to providing an update to attendees.
“These conferences are top-notch programs for anyone involved in agricultural law and policy — including producers, students and anyone looking to learn more about the current state of agriculture,” said Elder. “Decisions made in D.C. impact the nation’s agricultural community. Whether we’re talking about federal lands in the West or trade markets affecting farmers across the South, these issues are complex and evolve quickly.”
Ogilvie said the sessions offer a chance to assess the current state of U.S. agriculture and what lies ahead.
“I look forward to sharing the latest from Washington,” Ogilvie said. “These sessions are opportunities to break down what’s happened so far, along with what might be on the horizon for key federal issues. There will be no shortage of topics to cover.”
The sessions will also be interactive, with attendees encouraged to ask the panelists questions.
“Our conference sessions are engaging, informative ways for ag stakeholders to learn about issues impacting their region and beyond,” Pittman said. “Having direct access to top congressional staff involved in shaping ag and environmental policy is an invaluable opportunity for our attendees.”
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.
Pursuant to 7 CFR § 15.3, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services (including employment) without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual preference, pregnancy or any other legally protected status, and is an equal opportunity institution.
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Media contact:
Drew Viguet
Communications & Special Projects Coordinator
National Agricultural Law Center
dviguet@uark.edu