WGA presence shows force in the nation's capital
WGA presence shows force in the nation's capital
Western Growers Association, which recently opened an office in Washington DC, descended upon the nation's capital in large numbers the last week of June as it held a board meeting there for the first time.
Close to two-dozen directors and staffers dispersed inside the Beltway on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, June 26-28, meeting with dozens of elected representatives, regulators and staffers. Those on the agenda included Sens. Jon Kyl (R-AZ), and Larry Craig (R-ID); Reps. Devin Nunes (R- CA), Sam Farr (D-CA), George Radanovich (R-CA) and Jeff Flake (R-AZ); Deputy Assistant to the President Barry Jackson; Secretary of Agriculture Michael Johanns; and Food & Drug Administration executive David Acheson. WGA's leadership was expected to discuss everything from immigration reform to food safety to the 2007 farm bill with lawmakers and Bush administration officials.
The board will also convene a special meeting to discuss WGA's federal agenda. The association recently opened its new office in Washington because Tom Nassif, WGA president and chief executive officer, said that federal issues had grown in stature and number and there was no Washington group specifically and solely representing the interests of the western fruit, vegetable and nut industries.
Western Growers Association is vitally interested in seeing Congress pass a comprehensive immigration reform package or, failing that, a separate bill addressing the labor needs of agriculture. The association has also been lobbying hard for increased funding for the specialty crop industry in the new farm bill, which has recently begun the process of committee modification. Of course, food safety issues on the heels of last year's E. coli outbreak are also very important to WGA members.
While these issues are hot and currently on the front burner, when WGA opened its Washington office, Mr. Nassif said that there were a myriad of other issues that can use the regular attention a local office can afford. He said that Western Growers Association is often called upon to testify at one hearing or another, and having a local staff will give the association increased opportunities to air the view of the western specialty crop industry. He also said that there are many federal grant opportunities that a local staff can explore.
Executive Vice President Matthew McInerney is currently staffing WGA's Washington office as the association's leadership looks for a permanent employee for the position. In fact, the Washington trip last week afforded the opportunity to vet candidates for that position.
Close to two-dozen directors and staffers dispersed inside the Beltway on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, June 26-28, meeting with dozens of elected representatives, regulators and staffers. Those on the agenda included Sens. Jon Kyl (R-AZ), and Larry Craig (R-ID); Reps. Devin Nunes (R- CA), Sam Farr (D-CA), George Radanovich (R-CA) and Jeff Flake (R-AZ); Deputy Assistant to the President Barry Jackson; Secretary of Agriculture Michael Johanns; and Food & Drug Administration executive David Acheson. WGA's leadership was expected to discuss everything from immigration reform to food safety to the 2007 farm bill with lawmakers and Bush administration officials.
The board will also convene a special meeting to discuss WGA's federal agenda. The association recently opened its new office in Washington because Tom Nassif, WGA president and chief executive officer, said that federal issues had grown in stature and number and there was no Washington group specifically and solely representing the interests of the western fruit, vegetable and nut industries.
Western Growers Association is vitally interested in seeing Congress pass a comprehensive immigration reform package or, failing that, a separate bill addressing the labor needs of agriculture. The association has also been lobbying hard for increased funding for the specialty crop industry in the new farm bill, which has recently begun the process of committee modification. Of course, food safety issues on the heels of last year's E. coli outbreak are also very important to WGA members.
While these issues are hot and currently on the front burner, when WGA opened its Washington office, Mr. Nassif said that there were a myriad of other issues that can use the regular attention a local office can afford. He said that Western Growers Association is often called upon to testify at one hearing or another, and having a local staff will give the association increased opportunities to air the view of the western specialty crop industry. He also said that there are many federal grant opportunities that a local staff can explore.
Executive Vice President Matthew McInerney is currently staffing WGA's Washington office as the association's leadership looks for a permanent employee for the position. In fact, the Washington trip last week afforded the opportunity to vet candidates for that position.
