— LISTEE'S SPOTLIGHT —

Orlo “Bob” Ehart, the senior policy and science advisor at the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA), is a pioneer in environmental sustainability, agriculture, food safety and environmental policy. Serving NASDA in the Washington, DC, and Baltimore area since 2003, he previously worked as the public policy director and the animal and plant health safeguarding coordinator before assuming his current role in 2012. As a crucial part of NASDA, Mr. Ehart has secured resources and skilled personnel to enhance the capabilities of various state agriculture departments. He previously wrote the grant that established the State Federal Issues Research and Evaluation Group in 1978, collaborated with the Environmental Protection Agency on properly regulating pesticides, and established uniform regulations for practices used in producing fresh fruits and vegetables. To attest to Mr. Ehart’s success, the Food and Drug Administration coined him as a Subject Matter Expert to review risks associated with potentially harmful organisms in composting, demonstrating his continuous contributions to advancing food safety regulations. Outside his vocational appointments, Mr. Ehart participated in the International Farm Youth Exchange program, facilitating cross-cultural agricultural exchanges by playing a pivotal role in selecting and training others for successful stays in other countries.