Legislators and government leaders need real world information from growers and the people who work with growers to be able to serve the people they represent. Passing or maintaining reasonable legislation to allow our producers to feed and clothe the world in a plentiful and safe manner is key to their responsibility as policy-makers. The Agriculture industry needs advocates.  While the industry is providing new technology and tools to help growers grow more safe and plentiful food and fiber, increasing regulation is threatening, and in some cases, taking away these vital tools. To achieve successful pest resistance management our growers need all available resources and do not need good tools being taken away due to unreasonable risk management policies or political agendas based on emotion rather than sound science. Too often we spend our time “doing our jobs” in the office or lab and not enough time communicating the reality of what we do. Groups of unbiased consultants, like members of the National Alliance of Independent Crop Consultants (NAICC), can provide our government representatives with this information in an organized and comprehensive manner.<br/>Twenty-two years ago, NAICC began an activity in Washington, DC known as the Crawfish Boil on the Hill. An authentic chef comes from Louisiana and cooks the crawfish that was flown in that day. The event is held in the Longworth Food Court which is conveniently located in one of the three office buildings of the House of Representatives. We invite our legislators, their staff, agency personnel and Washington representatives from various agriculture groups to come and partake in authentic cuisine - crawfish, etouffee, red beans and rice and all the trimmings. This is all free of charge and is a no pressure event.  Earlier in the day we visit with legislators and their staff in their offices to discuss the issues important to our farmer clients and invite them to the Crawfish Boil. We also visit with the EPA, USDA, commodity groups and other agriculture groups in the area. This year we visited with Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue.  A survey of the NAICC membership indicated that interaction with our law makers was one of their top priorities for the Board and the Government Affairs Committee. This session will give details on how the NAICC organizes and carries out this event which might provide ideas on how you can be an advocate as well.

NAICC advocating for crop and research consultants

2019 Fall National Meeting

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.