NALC, NASDA Foundation to host Agricultural & Food Law Policy Briefing in Washington, D.C.
April 6, 2026
By Ramie Parsons
University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
Fast Facts
- Half-day agricultural and food law policy program in Washington, D.C.
- Designed for professionals across the agricultural and food law space
- Registration information available online
- CLE/CE credit approval is currently pending
(372 words)
Download a promotional graphic
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The National Agricultural Law Center, in partnership with the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture and the NASDA Foundation, will host the Agricultural & Food Law Policy Briefing on May 6 in Washington, D.C.
The half-day program will take place from 1-5 p.m. (EDT) at the U.S. Department of Agriculture Jefferson Auditorium, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, with a reception to follow until 6:30 p.m. The event will bring together leading voices in agricultural and food law to provide timely updates on key policy, legislative, and regulatory developments.
“With so many significant developments underway — from the Farm Bill to evolving regulatory priorities — this briefing offers a timely opportunity to examine where agricultural and food policy may be headed,” said Harrison M. Pittman, director of the National Agricultural Law Center. “Our goal is to help stakeholders better anticipate and navigate what’s next.”
“Through NASDA’s partnership with the National Agricultural Law Center, we are working to strengthen agricultural policy education and create meaningful opportunities like this event for stakeholders across the industry to engage in that effort,” NASDA CEO Ted McKinney said. “This program will deliver key updates on current policy and legislation critical to the agriculture industry, while also offering valuable insights from leading experts on what lies ahead.”
McKinney will share welcome remarks to open the program, followed by a “Four Corners” Congressional update featuring senior staff from the U.S. Senate and House Committees on Agriculture. The session will cover major issues including agricultural trade, E-15, the Farm Bill, and related policy topics.
USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden will deliver the keynote address, offering perspectives on litigation, regulation and adjudication related to USDA and trade issues.
One session will include a panel discussion moderated by Pittman and joined by Tara Smith, executive vice president of Torrey Advisory Group, and Morgan Ulmer, principal of Cornerstone Government Affairs, examining the current policy landscape on Capitol Hill. The program will conclude with an agricultural industry litigation and regulation update presented by NALC attorneys Elizabeth Rumley, Rusty Rumley, Brigit Rollins and Emily Stone.
Registration opens at 12:30 p.m. (EDT) and is also available online. More information about costs, CLE/CE credit, contact info, and the full agenda can be found on the program website: https://snip.ly/PolicyBrief26.
About the National Agricultural Law Center
Created by Congress in 1987, the National Agricultural Law Center serves as the nation’s leading source of agricultural and food law research and information. The NALC works with producers, agribusinesses, state and federal policymakers, lenders, Congressional staffers, attorneys, land grant universities, students, and many others to provide objective, nonpartisan agricultural and food law research and information to the nation’s agricultural community.
The NALC is a unit of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and works in close partnership with the National Agricultural Library, a subsidiary of the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service. For information about the NALC, visit nationalaglawcenter.org. The NALC is also on X, Facebook and LinkedIn as @nataglaw. Subscribe online to receive NALC Communications, including webinar announcements, the NALC’s Quarterly Newsletter, and The Feed.
About the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA)
NASDA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit association which represents the elected and appointed commissioners, secretaries and directors of the departments of agriculture in all 50 states and four U.S. territories. NASDA enhances American food and agricultural communities through policy, partnerships and public engagement. To learn more about NASDA, please visit www.nasda.org.
About the NASDA Foundation
The NASDA Foundation is the only educational and research organization that directly serves the nation’s state departments of agriculture. The NASDA Foundation’s mission is to enhance American food and agricultural communities through education, outreach and research. The NASDA Foundation works with states to nourish people and communities while serving as the stewards of the environment and public trust. To learn more about the NASDA Foundation, please visit nasda.org/nasda-foundation/.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land-grant system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on three campuses.
Pursuant to 7 CFR § 15.3, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services (including employment) without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual preference, pregnancy or any other legally protected status, and is an equal opportunity institution.
# # #
Media Contact:
Ramie Parsons
National Agricultural Law Center
U of A System Division of Agriculture
rparsons@uark.edu
479-575-7646