Source: NATIONAL ASSOC. OF STATE DEPTS. OF AGRICULTURE, 7/20/17

The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) is thrilled today after the appointment of NASDA Member and Indiana Director of Agriculture Ted McKinney as the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) first ever Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs. McKinney currently serves as the Chair of NASDA’s Plant Agriculture & Pesticide Committee.

NASDA President and Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture & Forestry Dr. Mike Strain noted NASDA’s enthusiasm to continue working with their McKinney in his new role.

“Ted's years of service at the Indiana Department of Agriculture and in the private sector have prepared him to be a phenomenal leader for American agriculture around the world. Ted will be a wonderful advocate for continuously enhancing the state-federal collaboration NASDA Members share with the USDA. We look forward to working with Ted to advance agriculture exports and grow global opportunities for U.S. farmers and ranchers.”

Dr. Sam Clovis was also appointed Undersecretary for Research, Education, and Economics.

“NASDA looks forward to working with USDA’s Research, Education and Economics mission area under Dr. Clovis’ leadership and helping further their mission of creating a safe, sustainable and competitive food and fiber system.”

Ted McKinney was sworn in as director of the Indiana Department of Agriculture (ISDA) in January 2014 by then Governor Mike Pence. Prior to his leadership at ISDA, McKinney was the Director of Global Corporate Affairs for Elanco Animal Health.

McKinney grew up on a family grain and livestock farm in Tipton, Indiana and earned a degree in Agricultural Economics from Purdue University.

NASDA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit association which represents the elected and appointed commissioners, secretaries, and directors of the departments of agriculture in all fifty states and four U.S. territories. NASDA grows and enhances agriculture by forging partnerships and creating consensus to achieve sound policy outcomes between state departments of agriculture, the federal government, and stakeholders. Learn more about NASDA at www.nasda.org.