36 / SEEDWORLD.COM JUNE 2019 WHEN IT COMES to government, be it federal or local, it’s safe to say that things can get complicated, fast. And the worst part about it? Policymaking never stops or takes a break — it’s always evolving and changing, morphing into something that might be good for industry or something that can be harmful. The seed industry is no stranger to a constantly changing environment, but there’s some work to be done to keep up with all the policies concerning our indus- try at the federal and state levels. Luckily, there are a few experts in the industry who are full of knowledge and are charged with keeping up. The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) and the Texas Seed Trade Association (TSTA) are willing to share a few of their secrets to help us participate in policy- making better and become better leaders for the seed industry. They share three takeaways to work- ing with different governments, be it local, state or federal. No. 1: Don’t be scared to get involved. There are plenty of oppor- tunities to get involved both legislatively and regulatorily. No. 2: Learn the process to make sure your message is timely. No. 3: Make sure to stay up-to-date on all things happening policy-wise, and never think anything is completely safe. With these three ideas in the back of your mind, you can start working to advo- cate for the seed industry. Get Involved in Crucial Work When asked if working within govern- mental processes is beneficial to the seed industry, Bryan Gentsch, executive vice president of the TSTA, and Denise Gentsch, legislative director of the TSTA, say that it’s not only beneficial, it’s critical. “We need to be proactive and not reactive,” Bryan Gentsch says. “You really have to know how to approach lobbying. Denise uses her relationships to develop strategy — she understands the pro- cess.” Denise Gentsch adds that Bryan pro- vides the technical expertise. They both agree that it all comes down to commu- nicating in a precise manner. “Denise gets me in front of the right people, in the right order, with the right message and I deliver it,” Bryan Gentsch says. “We have outsized influence because we make noise, we’re extremely active and we do so in a precise manner. We receive more attention than would be warranted by our membership numbers alone.” Denise Gentsch says the most important thing she’s learned is to know what your opposition is saying and Know the issues and make yourself available to share them. Policy experts share their tips for success. Alex Martin amartin@issuesink.com POLICY101 Denise Gentsch serves as legislative director of TSTA. Bryan Gentsch, executive vice president of the TSTA.