Florida Ag Commissioner Nikki Fried Joins Historic Vote on NASDA Diversity, Inclusion, and Racial Equity Policy

Tallahassee, Fla. — Today, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and fellow members of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) voted to amend the association’s guiding principles to include a new Diversity, Inclusion, and Racial Equity Policy Framework.

“For generations, discrimination has had a role in shaping our nation’s agriculture system, determining who owns, accesses, and benefits from farmland, and steering resources to certain communities — and black and brown communities have started out with disadvantages, lacking access to family land, wealth, and other resources,” stated Commissioner Nikki Fried. “I’m honored to have participated in this historic action, and I’m proud of NASDA for formalizing its commitment to building greater equity within agriculture and our nation as a whole. There’s still a lot of work to be done to ensure the values of diversity, inclusion, and racial equity are prioritized within America’s agriculture community — this vote marks important progress and hope for the future.”

The amendment to create a new Diversity, Inclusion, and Racial Equity Policy Framework to be included in NASDA’s guiding principles was passed unanimously today in the NASDA Business Meeting during the final day of the association’s annual meeting, which was held virtually this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Commissioner Fried spoke in support and voted to send the amendment to the full membership for consideration along with other NASDA members participating in yesterday’s Rural Development & Financial Security Committee meeting.

Background: Since taking office, Commissioner Fried has worked to modernize the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). Days after being sworn in, she announced personnel policy revisions to ensure equal protection, making FDACS the first agency in Florida’s government to ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Commissioner Fried also established a new Director of Diversity and Inclusion position within FDACS, to help build stronger relationships with communities that have been historically disenfranchised and increase outreach and involvement among those communities, including awareness of consumer services resources and opportunities in Florida agriculture.

NASDA’s policy process is led by guiding principles, designed to provide for a comprehensive, coordinated, and inclusive agricultural policy. The full text of the new guiding principle can be read below:

Diversity, Inclusion, and Racial Equity:

NASDA recognizes that the roots of racism run deep in our shared history which we must address. NASDA believes that the future of agriculture is best served when all of those in the agriculture community are empowered regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, and/or religious creed. NASDA believes that diversity and inclusion are fundamental principles of a sustainable agricultural community and necessary to advance the agricultural industry in the United States. NASDA strongly commits itself and its policies to inclusion, outreach, and engagement to embrace diversity 32 within the agriculture sector and to combat racism in all forms.

• NASDA supports all genders, races, creeds, religions, sexual orientations, and backgrounds of agricultural community members. To further that end, NASDA members support the following:

• NASDA believes federal, state, and local policy should strive to support all agricultural communities equitably

• NASDA supports programs consistent with NASDA’s guiding principles that offer the opportunity to advance diversity, inclusion, and racial equity

• NASDA believes that federal policy should support local and regional collaborations that are broadly inclusive and focused on achieving racial equity

• NASDA believes that federal, state, and local governments must play a key role in collaborations for achieving racial equity, centering community, and leveraging institutional partnerships

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