(NAFB.com) – The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture’s member-led Board of Directors chose five issues to serve as the organization’s primary policy focus for 2025. The priorities include a new farm bill, food systems, pesticide regulation, PFAS, and state cooperative agreement funding. “NASDA members specified these areas as necessary to work on to best support farmers, ranchers, and communities nationwide,” says NASDA CEO Ted McKinney. “We believe these areas represent critical opportunities where state departments of agriculture can lead impactful change and champion effective policy solutions this year.” Among the main priorities, NASDA will advocate for policies and programs that fortify U.S. food systems, enhance supply chain resilience, and improve reliable access to nutritious foods. NASDA says it will engage with the Environmental Protection Agency to ensure science-based standards and state input are incorporated in regulatory initiatives such as the Endangered Species Act Workplan. For more information, go to nasda.org.