The conference is co-hosted by the National Agricultural Law Center and the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture Foundation.
By Drew Viguet
National Agricultural Law Center
U of A System Division of Agriculture
March 6, 2025
Fast facts:
- Panel at NALC-NASDA Foundation conference discusses state ag departments
- Arkansas Secretary of Ag Wes Ward will moderate
- Conference registration (including livestream option) is online
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Attendees of the third annual Western Water, Agricultural, and Environmental Law Conference will have the opportunity to hear perspectives on water, agriculture, and food policy issues from top Western state leadership.
The session, “Western Water, Ag, & Food: Perspectives from State Departments of Agriculture,” will be moderated by Wes Ward, Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture and current president of NASDA, the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture. The conference is co-hosted by the National Agricultural Law Center, or NALC, and the NASDA Foundation.
The panel will feature:
- J.J. Goicoechea, DVM, director of the Nevada Department of Agriculture
- Christy Clark, director of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
- Jeff Witte, director and secretary of the New Mexico Department of Agriculture
The Western will be held June 19-20 in Reno, Nevada, with a livestream option. The Western also features the opportunity for continuing education credit, as well as continuing education from the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers. Full information and registration can be found online at nationalaglawcenter.org/western2025.
“Conference attendees can expect an engaging, interactive session that tackles the challenges and opportunities facing Western agriculture,” said NALC Director Harrison Pittman. “It’s a great, fun opportunity to hear directly from state agriculture leaders and ask questions about important issues.”
About the session
“I’m excited to have the opportunity to moderate a panel of some of the best in the business as we discuss important agricultural topics that impact the West,” said Ward. “This panel will provide important insights into state departments of agriculture and how we can all work together.”
To read the full news release, click here.