Vermont's agriculture secretary has been named president of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture.
Chuck Ross was named to the post at the association's annual meeting in North Carolina in September.
NASDA represents the elected and appointed commissioners, secretaries, and directors of the agriculture departments in all 50 states and four U.S. territories.
Ross says he is looking forward to leveraging the insights and abilities of his colleagues across the country "to advance the issues facing farmers today - particularly, the Farm Bill, and food safety."
Ross says the country needs to stop the in-fighting among food producers, between organic and non-organic, big and small, and other divisions. He also wants to increase agricultural literacy so that more consumers know where their food comes from.
