The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) is pleased to announce the hiring of Tandy Kidd as manager of Events & Member Engagement and Maria Martinez as coordinator of Programs & Grants for the NASDA Foundation. Kidd will lead all events hosted by NASDA, including planning and execution, in addition to facilitating member engagement.

"I look forward to engaging and working with NASDA members to amplify their voice for agriculture. I am excited to apply my skills in event planning to create opportunities for leaders to convene on issues facing our industry and serve NASDA members’ vision for sound national agricultural and food policy,” Kidd said.

Kidd most recently served as special project manager for the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture. Working under Secretary Blayne Arthur, he has co-chaired the Midwestern Association of State Departments of Agriculture Conference and managed the Oklahoma State Fair, along with facilitating a variety of other projects for the department. He currently serves on the Oklahoma Agricultural Leadership Program Advisory Council and brings international perspective through having participated in multiple exchange programs, including the U.S. State Department Professional Exchange Program. Kidd holds a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business and a minor in marketing from Oklahoma State University. Kidd’s first day with NASDA will be June 14, 2021.

Martinez serves the NASDA Foundation through leading event programing and program development. Martinez also assists with grant writing, sponsorship recruitment and budget management for the foundation.

“I’m so proud to work for the NASDA Foundation, as it is the only educational and research organization that serves the nation’s state departments of agriculture. I look forward to cultivating partnerships, supporting programs and grants, and furthering communication efforts on behalf of the NASDA Foundation that directly enhance American agriculture,” Martinez said.

Martinez holds a master’s in agriculture and environmental education with an emphasis in agricultural communication from the University of Georgia. She received her bachelor’s degree from Kansas State University in agriculture. Maria most recently served as a graduate teaching assistant for the University of Georgia and has prior experience with Kansas Corn, Yum Brands Co. and the National FFA Organization. Martinez was officially hired by NASDA on May 17, 2021, and she immediately started work with the team.