NASDA believes that diversity, equity and inclusion are fundamental principles of a sustainable agricultural community and necessary to advance the agricultural industry in the U.S. NASDA has a strong commitment to inclusion, outreach and engagement to embrace diversity within the agriculture sector.
Diversity and Inclusion in Our Workplace
NASDA is committed to efforts and partnerships that promote opportunities. Internally our staff is actively seeking new ways to listen and learn and engage with like-minded partners to carry out the commitment passed by our members.
Together We Grow: Advancing America’s Agriculture
NASDA Foundation is proud to be a member of Together We Grow, a group of universities, non-profits and private companies focused on attracting the best and brightest talent to the agriculture industry. We will accomplish this through sharing resources, combining our efforts and ultimately expanding opportunities to more communities. In doing so, we hope to awaken more Americans to the incredible value they can bring to our evolving industry.
NASDA Diversity, Inclusion and Racial Equity Policy Actions
NASDA adopted new diversity and inclusion policy during the 2020 NASDA Annual Meeting. The new policy formally incorporates NASDA’s commitment to racial justice into its policymaking framework.
Next Generation of Agricultural Leadership
In August 2020, the National Society for Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture and the NASDA Foundation signed a memorandum of understanding embarking on a five-year partnership to grow diversity in agricultural government affairs and agriculture industry leaders. The MOU was designed to increase minority college students’ exposure to employment, educational and business opportunities through state departments of agriculture. Through this partnership, the Agriculture Policy Summit was developed, with 10 MANRRS students attending the 2020 NASDA Winter Policy Conference in Washington D.C. The engagement efforts include teaching undergraduate and graduate students about federal agriculture policy through hands-on experiences. Today, this effort continues as a part of the NASDA Next Generation student program at both the NASDA Annual Meeting and Winter Policy Conference events.
NASDA Foundation Farm2Food Accelerator
The Farm2Food Accelerator is a comprehensive 15-module training program designed to support small-scale women farmers and food entrepreneurs in strengthening business capacity and operational resilience through value-added food and beverage products. Adapted to meet the unique needs of each producer community, each Farm2Food Accelerator covers core topics like food safety, regulatory compliance, costing, marketing and more. The NASDA Foundation launched the Farm2Food Accelerator in Washington and Oregon through grants received from the 2019 Washington State Specialty Crop Block Grant Program and 2019 Oregon Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. Since then, the Foundation adapted the curriculum and successfully launched pilots in California, Florida and Nevada. In Fall 2023, the Foundation translated the program to Spanish to reach even more communities around the country.
NASDA Foundation-EPA Historically Underserved Farmers Grant Program
In 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Gulf of Mexico Division awarded the NASDA Foundation $3 million in cooperative agreement funding to help underserved farmers improve water quality, habitat resilience and information exchange to benefit the ecosystems within the Gulf of Mexico Watershed. Through this program, the NASDA Foundation and sub-awardees work directly with historically underserved producers to leverage partnerships to increase knowledge sharing and implement soil and water conservation practices that can help reduce runoff and nonpoint source pollution.
Our Statement on Racial Justice
We recognize that racism exists in America. NASDA is committed to efforts and partnerships that dismantle systemic racism and discrimination. We reflect on our work to ensure that we continue to focus on diversity, equity and inclusion. NASDA is proud to bring our partners together for dialogue and understanding within the agricultural community, and to find ways to support the work needed to advance and sustain a culture free from prejudice and inequity.
We are ready to listen, learn, and support equitable solutions that elevate all underserved communities.
As a nation, we are in this together, we can do better, and we will be better. Please join us in affecting change for justice for all.
