It’s no secret in Oklahoma that we have the nation’s best commissioner of agriculture. This week’s National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) Annual Conference made certain the rest of the country understands that fact as well.

For the past year, Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur has served as NASDA’s chair, leading a host of important policy priorities for states like herd and plant health, environmental regulations, the Farm Bill, and more. This week, Secretary Arthur's chairmanship culminated with a blockbuster conference in Indianapolis where her Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry (ODAFF) team shined and proudly showcased much of what Oklahoma does so well.

Secretary Arthur, Deputy Commissioner JanLee Rowlett, and the entire ODAFF crew did an outstanding job integrating Oklahoma culture into the Indiana co-hosted event. From Oklahoma speakers to custom Made in Oklahoma (MIO) gifts, the meeting was filled with "Sooner State" touches from start to finish.

Oklahoma Pork’s Kylee Deniz was honored to participate alongside other Oklahoma leaders like State Board of Agriculture members Clay Burtrum and Brent Bolen. With more than 400 folks representing different states’ agriculture agencies in attendance, Kylee took part in NASDA's Next Generation Panel where she shared more about her pork career and advice for young leaders looking to engage on agricultural advocacy. Other familiar faces to our pork producers helped share Oklahoma’s message in Indianapolis, including our former intern Presley Pullen and other Oklahoma students who have taken part in Oklahoma Pork programming.

Overall, NASDA's Annual Meeting reminded us what a blessing it is to be part of the agriculture community, especially in Oklahoma. Pork producers help feed the world, and incredible leaders like Secretary Arthur help ensure our industry continues to do so.