DATCP Secretary Represents Wisconsin at NASDA Policy Conference

By Blake Jackson

Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) Secretary Randy Romanski recently represented the state at the 2026 Winter Policy Conference held in Washington, DC, from February 2-4.

Organized by the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA), the annual conference brings together agriculture commissioners, secretaries and department leaders from across the United States to engage in policy discussions and organizational business meetings.

“I value this opportunity to represent Wisconsin in national policy discussions about agriculture,” said Romanski. “While each state’s agriculture industry is unique, we can accomplish more by working together on topics that impact all of us such as international trade, animal health, and food safety.”

Romanski serves on the NASDA Board of Directors and currently holds the role of President of the Midwestern Association of State Departments of Agriculture (MASDA). In this leadership position, Romanski guides regional policy conversations and will oversee MASDA’s regional meeting scheduled to take place in Madison, Wisconsin, later this summer.

During the conference, NASDA’s Board of Directors reaffirmed five key policy priorities for 2026: agricultural labor reform, animal disease preparedness and traceability, the farm bill, pesticide regulations, and regional food procurement and distribution.

Members also reviewed and approved several policy amendments, including continued support for state-inspected meat programs, development of national animal disease response plans, expanded specialty crop insurance resources, and updates related to Commercial Driver License requirements.

The conference also featured NASDA’s Next Generation program, which introduces high school and college students to agricultural policy and leadership. Three Wisconsin-connected students participated in 2026: Adam Schaik of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Jescey Thompson of Iowa State University, and Mary Schrieber of Texas A&M University.

“Wisconsin is committed to supporting future agriculture leaders, and I was proud to see three students from Wisconsin participate in the NASDA Winter Policy Conference,” added Romanski. “This was a valuable professional development opportunity for these students, and I am confident they gained valuable agriculture policy insights to further prepare them for their careers.”

Additional highlights included recognition of the United Nations-designated International Year of the Woman Farmer and meetings of the Food Export Association of the Midwest USA, where Romanski serves as vice president.

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