The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) has announced its 2025 Honor Award recipients, recognizing four exceptional individuals and one organization whose dedication and innovation continue to strengthen America's agricultural landscape. At the association's annual meeting in Rogers, Arkansas, NASDA President and Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward presented awards that celebrate outstanding service, communication excellence, administrative leadership, and collaborative partnerships.
"Every year, we have the honor of celebrating the individuals whose dedication and innovation help advance agriculture in meaningful ways," Ward said. "These awards reflect our deep appreciation for those who work wholeheartedly to support our communities, strengthen our food systems and secure a thriving future for agriculture."
Communications Excellence: Heather Lansdowne Leads Kansas Agriculture Messaging
Heather Lansdowne, Director of Communications for the Kansas Department of Agriculture, received the 2025 Communications Award for her distinguished efforts in media and public communications that enhance public understanding of agriculture. Over the past decade, Lansdowne has cultivated deep respect and strong connections with Kansas farmers and ranchers while skillfully ensuring external communications resonate with the general public.
Lansdowne's approach to agricultural communication has proven invaluable in translating complex animal and plant health issues into clear, relatable messaging. Her work demonstrates how effective communication bridges the gap between agricultural professionals and consumers, creating better understanding of farming practices, food safety protocols, and agricultural innovations.
"Heather brings humility, passion, and a steadfast belief in the power of teamwork to everything she does," noted NASDA officials. Her decade-long commitment to Kansas agriculture has established her as a trusted voice in agricultural communications, particularly during challenging situations requiring clear public information.
The Communications Award recognizes professionals who excel at making agriculture accessible to diverse audiences, from policymakers to consumers. Lansdowne's success in this role highlights the critical importance of strategic communication in modern agriculture, where public perception directly impacts industry success and policy decisions.
Administrative Leadership: Julie Cook's Quarter-Century of Service
Julie Cook, Administrative/Financial Manager of the Wyoming Department of Agriculture, earned the 2025 Douglass-Irvin Administration Award in recognition of her exceptional contributions to state agency operations. With over 25 years of dedicated service to the Wyoming Department of Agriculture, Cook currently serves as Administration Division Manager, overseeing fiscal operations, human resources, reporting, public information, and IT efforts.
Cook's deep expertise in accounting and state regulations has made her a trusted resource both within the Wyoming Department of Agriculture and across Wyoming's government structure. Her colleagues recognize her integrity, problem-solving skills, and willingness to take on complex challenges that others might avoid.
The Douglass-Irvin Administration Award specifically honors individuals whose work leads to enhanced administrative efficiency and greater organizational impact. Cook's leadership exemplifies these qualities, demonstrating how strong administrative foundations enable agricultural departments to focus on their core mission of supporting farmers, ranchers, and food systems.
Her role extends beyond traditional administrative duties, encompassing strategic planning, regulatory compliance, and interdepartmental coordination. This comprehensive approach has been instrumental in the Wyoming Department of Agriculture's ability to adapt to changing agricultural landscapes while maintaining operational excellence.
Outstanding Service: Katie Howard's Leadership in Crisis Management
Katie Howard, Deputy Commissioner of the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, received the James A. Graham Award for Outstanding Service, which honors exceptional efforts in delivering meaningful support and service to farmers and ranchers. Howard's five-year tenure with the department has been marked by rapid advancement and significant contributions to agricultural protection and food safety.
Starting as Special Counsel for Ethics, Risk and Compliance, Howard progressed to Deputy Commissioner in 2024, where she now oversees the Division of Food Safety and Inspection, Division of Milk Control and Dairy Services, and the New York State Food Laboratory. Her leadership encompasses critical areas affecting both agricultural producers and public health.
Howard's most notable achievement has been her pivotal role in New York's proactive response to highly pathogenic avian influenza. She led complex testing and surveillance initiatives in coordination with federal and state partners to protect dairy herds, poultry operations, and public health. This coordinated approach has been instrumental in maintaining New York's status as unaffected by avian influenza outbreaks that have impacted other states.
The James A. Graham Award recognizes professionals who go beyond routine duties to provide exceptional service to agricultural communities. Howard's collaborative approach and professional leadership have earned respect from colleagues, regulators, and agricultural producers statewide, demonstrating how effective crisis management protects entire agricultural sectors.
Public-Private Partnership: SAS Delivers Innovation Solutions
The 2025 NASDA Public-Private Partnership Award was presented to SAS, recognizing their exceptional collaboration with state departments of agriculture to deliver programs, projects, and services with meaningful impact at state and national levels. This award honors NASDA partner organizations that demonstrate commitment beyond traditional business relationships.
Since joining NASDA's network in 2022, SAS has actively sought solutions to issues identified during association meetings. Their proactive approach resulted in four regional and national solutions this year, addressing critical challenges NASDA members face with inaccurate drought monitoring systems, international market development opportunities, and regional food system resiliency.
"While all NASDA partners raise NASDA's ability to serve state agriculture departments and provide quality member value, SAS has gone above and beyond," NASDA officials noted. The company's commitment to understanding and addressing real-world agricultural challenges demonstrates how effective public-private partnerships can accelerate innovation and problem-solving in agriculture.
SAS's contributions highlight the importance of private sector engagement in agricultural advancement. By listening to state agriculture departments' needs and developing targeted solutions, they've created tools and systems that benefit agricultural operations nationwide. Their work in drought monitoring, market development, and food system resiliency addresses some of the most pressing challenges facing modern agriculture.
The Significance of NASDA Honor Awards
The NASDA Honor Awards program represents more than individual recognition: it showcases the collaborative spirit driving American agriculture forward. These awards highlight professionals and organizations working behind the scenes to ensure food security, agricultural innovation, and effective communication between farming communities and the public.
Each recipient demonstrates different aspects of agricultural leadership: Lansdowne's communication excellence, Cook's administrative foundations, Howard's crisis management, and SAS's innovative partnerships. Together, they represent the diverse skills and commitment required to maintain America's agricultural strength.
The timing of these awards is particularly significant as agriculture faces unprecedented challenges from climate change, supply chain disruptions, and evolving consumer expectations. Recognition of excellence in communication, administration, service, and partnership provides models for other professionals navigating similar challenges.
NASDA's Mission and Impact
The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture serves as the unified voice for state agriculture departments across all 50 states and four U.S. territories. As a nonpartisan, nonprofit association, NASDA represents elected and appointed commissioners, secretaries, and directors who oversee agricultural operations in their respective jurisdictions.
NASDA enhances American food and agricultural communities through policy advocacy, strategic partnerships, and public engagement initiatives. The organization's work spans food safety, agricultural marketing, environmental stewardship, and rural development: all areas where the 2025 Honor Award recipients have made significant contributions.
The association's annual meeting serves as a forum for sharing best practices, addressing emerging challenges, and recognizing excellence within state agriculture departments. By celebrating achievements like those of the 2025 Honor Award recipients, NASDA reinforces the importance of professional excellence in protecting and advancing American agriculture.
These awards underscore NASDA's commitment to recognizing the dedicated professionals who ensure America's agricultural systems remain robust, innovative, and responsive to evolving needs. From crisis management to communication excellence, administrative leadership to innovative partnerships, the 2025 recipients represent the best of agricultural public service.
Written by Michael Politz, Author of Guide to Restaurant Success: The Proven Process for Starting Any Restaurant Business From Scratch to Success (ISBN: 978-1-119-66896-1), Founder of Food & Beverage Magazine, the leading online magazine and resource in the industry. Designer of the Bluetooth logo and recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine's "Top 40 Under 40" for founding American Wholesale Floral. Politz is also the founder of the Proof Awards and the CPG Awards and a partner in numerous consumer brands across the food and beverage sector.
