WA S H I N G TO N R E P O R T
Grassroots Policy at Home
PHOTO: ISTOCK.COM/JBYARD
By JohnWalt Boatright, Director of National Affairs One major change, among many, caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has been the near-complete halt of meetings and gatherings in person. For county Farm Bureaus and our state organization, that has been a drastic development. Pre-pandemic, staff and members met daily throughout the state to conduct Farm Bureau business. In response to the emerging public health threat and out of an abundance of concern for the safety and well-being of everyone, business travel and meetings were placed on a hiatus until conditions improved. This was a wise decision. Many Florida Farm Bureau Federation (FFBF)-sanctioned meetings and events were postponed, altered or canceled – all unfortunate but necessary decisions, given the severity and duration of the illness. Field to the Hill, our signature member fly-in to Washington, D.C., was among the casualties. The virus has indeed presented challenges to the usual way we conduct our business, especially in terms of a primary charge for FFBF staff: implementing the policy developed and ratified by our grassroots members. This has meant a discontinuation of bimonthly meetings with officials in D.C. for several months, as well as all forms of in-district meetings or tours with congressional office staff. We have leaned heavily on electronic communications as an alternative way to pursue Farm Bureau objectives.
For business and government alike, the pandemic has jumpstarted frenzied transition to virtual meetings, from county commissions to congressional hearings. Other than diverting attention to COVID-related legislation, Congress and the federal government have maintained their workload while limiting interactions and adopting
candidates. If an in-person event does occur, there is often an enforced limit on event attendance and a ready supply of masks, sanitizer and other personal protective equipment. Furthermore, FFBF is now in the throes of our grassroots policy development process. In August, all 16 advisory committees were held by Zoom,
work-from-home orders for lawmakers and employees. The U.S. House of Representatives even took the unprecedented step of permitting remote voting for members; it will be interesting to observe its long-term effects on the institution. Additionally, the disruption has led us to reconsider how our staff and members engage in the political campaigning process within the state. By itself, the 2020 election would have guaranteed a riveting year. For now, it has largely been sidelined by a much more dangerous interloper. For example, these events involve online fundraisers for political
a videoconferencing platform that allows participants to meet easily using their computers or phones. In whatever form it takes to its conclusion at our annual meeting, our organization remains committed to a sound and professional process. FFBF, along with the world, has adjusted under these trying circumstances, and with no interruption of service. We have adapted as responsibly as possible to continue the effective representation of our membership in every aspect. But perhaps more than any other group, Federation staff will be eager to return to our routine once again.
FLORIDAGRICULTURE | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2020
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