Commissioner Blackham Elected NASDA President
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Salt Lake City - Utah Department of Agriculture and Food Commissioner, Leonard Blackham, was named the new President of NASDA (National Association of State Departments of Agriculture) for 2010-2011 during the association’s 2010 Annual Meeting in Dover, Delaware, September 20th. This past year, Blackham served as NASDA Vice President and was also the chairman of the Natural Resources and Pesticide Management Committee.
“I am honored to take the presidency of this outstanding organization,” Blackham said. “The agriculture industry faces many challenges and opportunities in the coming months, and I am excited to help our organization move the industry forward.”
Commissioner Blackham says one of NASDA’s first actions will be to participate in the discussion regarding the upcoming U.S. Farm Bill that establishes many important policies that drive agriculture in the United States. Another important issue will be working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as it takes up non-point source pollution issues relating to farming and ranching. Commissioner Blackham will also stress the importance of community outreach and education regarding the importance of agriculture in our lives.
Blackham has been in the turkey farming business all of his professional life and serves at the pleasure of Governor Gary Herbert since being appointed commissioner in 2005.
Blackham is joined on the NASDA Board of Directors Executive Committee by Bill Northy (Iowa), Vice-President; Terry Peach (Oklahoma), Second Vice-President; and Doug Fischer (New Jersey), Secretary-Treasurer. Ed Kee of Delaware will remain on the Executive Committee as Past President. Members of the Executive Committee will be joined on the NASDA Board of Directors by Louis Petersen (U.S. Virgin Islands), Roger Allbee (Vermont), Steve Troxler (North Carolina), Jon Hagler (Missouri), and John Stulp (Colorado).
The National Association of State Department of Agriculture was founded in 1915. Their mission is to represent the state departments of agriculture in the development, implementation, and communication of sound public policy and programs which support and promote the American agricultural industry, while protecting consumers and the environment. Learn more about NASDA at www.nasda.org
As president, Commissioner Blackham will host the 2011 NASDA Annual Meeting in Salt Lake City.
Updated Oct. 2010