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Disaster Relief, Trade Reform Dominate D.C. Meetings
from June Issue
WASHINGTON REPORT
Disaster Relief, Trade Reform Dominate D.C. Meetings
By JohnWalt Boatright, Director of National Affairs
Nearly 75 Florida
Farm Bureau members gathered in Washington, D.C. last month to engage in a three-day advocacy conference.
On Tuesday, May 14, Florida producers convened at American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) offices for an afternoon briefing session that covered environmental issues, pending disaster relief legislation, current international trade negotiations and the implementation of the 2018 Farm Bill.
At this session AFBF President Zippy Duvall conferred the coveted Golden Plow Award upon Rep. Ted Yoho (FL-03), joining Florida Farm Bureau President John Hoblick in recognizing the Congressman’s outstanding contributions in support of agriculture during his tenure.
The first day concluded with a welcoming reception at the Embassy of Canada in partnership with the leadership at the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. The well-attended event merited
the attention of the Canadian Ambassador to the U.S. David MacNaughton; he provided gracious opening remarks to the group.
Wednesday offered a briefing breakfast, at which attendees received refreshing pointers on the best practices in advocacy, an address from Rep. Neal Dunn (FL-02) and words of encouragement for productive meetings throughout the day. Farm Bureau members then spread across Capitol Hill in pursuit of good policy for Florida agriculture.
Disaster relief funding and trade reform for our seasonal and perishable producers dominated conversations with Hill staffers and Congressional members, and those same themes carried over into the final day with overlapping meetings on the Hill and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
At USDA, Florida Farm Bureau members had the privilege of speaking with Undersecretary Greg Ibach and Farm Service Agency Administrator Richard Fordyce. Given the lingering issues with relief from Hurricane Irma in
2017, and the pressing need for supplemental funds following Hurricane Michael in 2018, officials were responsive and attentive to the concerns of Florida growers.
Down the street in the Rayburn House Office Building, President Hoblick, other farm association leaders and Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried addressed an open hearing that specifically focused on our state’s agricultural issues. Two-thirds of Florida’s Congressional delegation were present, a recordbreaking attendance that was appropriately noted.
The busy schedule culminated with meetings held by the Florida Farm Bureau State Women’s Leadership Committee. Committee members learned about advocacy strategies from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, discussed trade policy with Embassy of Canada representatives and even met with White House staff on various organizational priorities. It was a banner week for Florida Farm Bureau members in Washington, D.C.
