Source: PRESS RELEASE, 8/31/17

National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) President and Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture & Forestry Michael G. Strain, along with Arizona Director of Agriculture Mark Killian, Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black, Maine Commissioner of Agriculture & Forestry Walter Whitcomb, Missouri Director of Agriculture Chris Chinn, New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Doug Fisher, and North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture Steve Troxler represented NASDA at a White House meeting yesterday to discuss the critical needs of our nation’s infrastructure. The meeting comes as a follow-up to a recent White House Infrastructure Summit with government officials on all levels. U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao, Mick Mulvaney, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, Ray Starling, Special Assistant to the President for Agriculture, Trade and Food Assistance, and DJ Gribben, Special Assistant to the President for Infrastructure Policy were all present for the rapid-fire dialogue.

Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture & Forestry Michael G. Strain noted the importance of these continued discussions as they help enhance infrastructure partnerships and work to improve the regulatory systems contributing to the nation’s aging infrastructure.

“Agriculture depends upon infrastructure to transport products down the road and around the world,” said Commissioner Strain. “We look forward to working with our federal partners to develop a streamlined permitting process to boost stagnant infrastructure projects.“

“As we work at the state level to address infrastructure, it's vital the federal government prioritize investments in our nation’s infrastructure. This includes consistent access to broadband across rural America, and improvements to our waterways system. These foundational investments in infrastructure keep Americans employed and our ag industry competitive.”

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. To learn more about NASDA, please visit www.nasda.org.