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Maine Hosts 2024 NEASDA Annual Regional Meeting in Freeport
May 31, 2024
For more information contact: Jim Britt at: (207) 480-0558
Augusta, ME-The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) is hosting the 2024 regional meeting of the Northeast Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NEASDA) from June 2 to 5 in Freeport. DACF Commissioner and current NEASDA President Amanda Beal expressed enthusiasm about returning this influential agricultural conference to Maine, which last hosted it in 2016.
"The annual NEASDA regional meeting is a cornerstone event, fostering dialogue and collaboration among member states and stakeholders, focused on the future of agriculture," said Commissioner Beal. "It is my privilege to lead NEASDA and welcome this year's meeting to our great state."
The NEASDA regional meeting gathers commissioners, secretaries, and directors from the ten Northeastern state departments of agriculture. This year's presenters and attendees include farmers, federal partners, educational entities, nonprofit partners, and industry representatives. The conference provides a platform to share information and ideas and address policy initiatives that impact the agricultural industry.
Over the three-day event, participants will discuss critical issues, including agricultural workforce development, farmland conservation, PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), agricultural climate resiliency, and trade. Additionally, attendees will participate in educational tours of local farms and food businesses, including Blue Ox Malthouse, Apple Creek Farm, Springworks Farm, and Wolfe's Neck Center for Agriculture and the Environment.
NEASDA is a regional association that unites the Commissioners, Secretaries, and Directors of Agriculture from Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont. The organization plays a vital role in shaping agricultural policies and fostering collaboration among state and federal entities and other key stakeholders. NEASDA is a regional division of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA), founded in 1916.
For more information about the 2024 NEASDA meeting, please visit www.nasda.org or contact Jim Britt at (207) 480-0558.