Karla Kay Edwards
Former analyst covering Rural Policy and Land Use
An experienced association executive and lobbyist, Karla Kay has spent her career learning and living in rural areas. She has a bachelor’s of science degree in animal science from California State University, Chico, and a master’s of science in psychology of organizational development from Central Washington University, Ellensburg. Edwards completed the Washington Agriculture and Forestry Leadership Development Program in 2001. Karla is now the State Director for Americans For Prosperity.
Before coming to Cascade, Karla Kay was a water quality and salmon recovery specialist for the Oregon Department of Agriculture, focusing on bridging the knowledge gap between the agriculture industry and the scientists and bureaucrats involved in salmon recovery throughout Oregon. Her experience includes being executive director of Fresno County Farm Bureau, specializing in local land use and environmental policies. In addition, she was the executive vice-president/lobbyist for Washington Cattlemen’s Association, where she worked at both the state and the federal level, advocating for natural resource policies that allowed active resource management at the local level and the protection of property rights.
