A Seat at the Table: How Lobbying Efforts Are Making an Impact for Ag Associations
May 30, 2025 
In February, members from several industry organizations participated in the DC Fly-in to visit lawmakers on Capitol Hill and raise awareness of key issues.
The power of industry associations is something I’ve experienced first-hand since joining Meister Media Worldwide three years ago. I don’t know if it’s unique to agriculture, but whether you’re a media company, a farmer, or a retailer, it seems you are involved in one or more associations.
In February, the Council of Producers & Distributors of Agrotechnology (CPDA) along with the organization’s President, Terry Kippley, invited me to join them on their DC Fly-In. They joined forces with CropLife America (CLA), The Fertilizer Institute (TFI), and the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) to visit lawmakers on Capitol Hill to raise awareness on key issues.
The program began the night before with presentations from Dr. John Newton, Executive Head of Terrian, Former Chief Economist, Senate Ag Committee; and Kimberly Nesci, Director of USDA Office of Pesticide Management Policy (OPMP).
This was our chance to gather more insights on the Farm Bill and the USDA, specifically the Endangered Species Act, changes to pesticide labels, and OPMP’s role.
We were also provided with a handful of policy papers on key issues — a very well organized and succinct overview that helped us prepare for our face-to-face meetings the next day. Topics included:
- Spray Adjuvants & the 2025 Farm Bill.
- Pesticide Safety & The U.S. Regulatory System.
- The Innovation Backlog Harms Manufacturers, Farmers & Consumers.
- The Impact to Agriculture Due to the Intersection of FIFRA & ESA.
- The Need for More USDA NRCS Technical Service Providers.
CPDA’s Andrew Walmsley, Vice President of Government Relations, authored the materials and they were an excellent way to literally get attendees on the same page with regards to the background of each issue, what’s at stake, and the opportunities to act.
Scott Rawlins, Director of Government Relations, shared some valuable do’s and don’ts to make sure we communicated our message effectively and basically “put our best foot forward” during our 30-minute meetings.
Cara Strazzo, Director of Communications & Operations, handled the logistics, including accommodations and transportation, to keep every aspect of the program on schedule.
The next day started early. Attendees were divided into multiple groups of four to six people, each with customized itineraries for the visits with lawmakers. We started with a welcome and briefing from Glenn “GT” Thompson, Republican Leader of the House Agriculture Committee. Then we were off and running.
Two lawmakers on my itinerary were Rep. Austin Scott (R-GA) and Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK). Both have agriculture backgrounds and represent ag states.
What stood out most for me during these meetings was that the congressmen were listening. They asked questions; asked for more information. And instructed their staff to take notes and follow up.
That evening, John Boozman, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman, gave his remarks to us over dinner.
By the end of the Fly-In, I was practically giddy. It was such a worthwhile endeavor and made such an impression on me.
We are sometimes cynical about the federal government and how detached it sometimes feels from our lives and livelihoods. Joining the CPDA, CLA, TFI, and ARA reminded me that we all have a seat at the table — as citizens and members of our agriculture associations.
Let’s get growing!
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