by Drew Viguet, NALC Communications & Special Projects Coordinator

The 2025 Western Water, Ag, and Environmental Law Conference will include a session led by state ag department leaders.

The Third Annual “Western Conference” will be held June 19-20 at the Peppermill Resort Spa Casino in Reno, Nevada. A livestream option will also be available. The program highlights water, ag, and environmental law topics that uniquely impact the ag industry in the Western U.S.

“The Western conference is a great networking and learning opportunity, focusing in a practical way on issues important to the ag industry in western states,” NALC Director Harrison Pittman said. “Having the top leadership of western state agriculture departments engaged in the program is a great opportunity, and we’re thrilled they’ll be a part of it.”

The session, “Western Water, Ag, & Food: Perspectives from State Departments of Agriculture,” will be moderated by Wes Ward, who has served as Arkansas secretary of agriculture since 2015. Ward is also the 2024-2025 president of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, or NASDA. State ag department directors on the panel include:

  • Dr. J.J. Goicoechea. Goicoechea has served as the director of the Nevada Department of Agriculture since 2023. Prior to his role as director, he served within the department as state veterinarian from 2016 to 2019 and interim state veterinarian in 2022.
  • Christy Clark. Clark was appointed director of the Montana Department of Agriculture in 2022, having previously served as acting director. Clark is also the current president of the Western Association of State Departments of Agriculture, or WASDA.
  • Jeff Witte. Witte has served as director and secretary of the New Mexico Department of Agriculture since 2011. Among numerous other roles, he previously served as president of both NASDA and WASDA.

“Wes, J.J., Christy and Jeff are ag professionals of the highest caliber,” Pittman said. “Attendees are in for a fun, interactive session. For any questions asked of the panel, there will be no shortage of knowledge and insight given.”

The presenters will discuss how state ag departments interact with their stakeholders, which include farmers, producers, attorneys and more.

The Western Conference also features the opportunity for continuing education credit, as well as continuing education from the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers.

Registration for the Western will open in January. For more information on NALC conference opportunities, visit our webpage here.

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