National Association of Counties President Greg Cox recently appointed Palm Beach County Mayor Melissa McKinlay to a one-year term as chair of NACo’s Agriculture and Rural Affairs Steering Committee.
“I am excited to lead NACo’s Agriculture and Rural Affairs Policy Steering Committee. The importance of America’s agricultural economy, as well as the challenges rural counties face, impact millions of residents and visitors,” McKinlay said. “Counties are working to bolster rural development, strengthen safety and security, enhance our infrastructure networks and promote rural county interests on the national level. As a county commissioner from one of the nation’s largest agricultural communities, I understand the unique issues that our farming communities face. I also believe I may be the first woman and the first from Florida to chair this prestigious committee, a huge honor.”
Active in NACo since 2015, McKinlay previously served as vice chair of the NACo Agriculture and Rural Affairs Steering Committee. She has also been active in NACo’s Rural Action Caucus.
Since 2015, McKinlay has served as president of the Women of NACo Leadership Network, as coordinator for the Next Generation NACo Network, and several times as a NACo conference panelist on the opioid epidemic.
In her leadership role, McKinlay helped to host the NACo 2018 Farm Bill Summit in Palm Beach County in April.
The NACo Agriculture and Rural Affairs Steering Committee is responsible for elevating the county voice in all matters pertaining to U.S. Department of Agriculture programs related to agriculture, rural development, rural renewal energy development, research and extension, food safety and conservation.
