SEPTEMBER 2018 SEEDWORLD.COM / 63 Hill, where members participated in more than 130 meetings with representatives and senators. It’s important to emphasize it’s not just a new name for an old meeting, Crouse says, adding that they are creating a learning experience. “It really is an experience. Anyone can get information on the internet now if they want to learn about a topic,” Crouse said. “But to come together with your industry, with your colleagues, and especially to go through Storm the Hill, is an experience that you can’t get anywhere else.” Encouraging Advocacy During the first PL/DC Lightening Talk, ASTA President and CEO Andy LaVigne talked about the political lay of the land and the importance of being an advo- cate for the seed industry. Just as you work to maintain rela- tionships with your customers and seed growers, we work here to maintain rela- tionships with those from Capitol Hill and from the administration, he said. Like any landscape, you’ve got to design it, maintain it and take care of it to keep it going. If you don’t, it falls apart pretty quickly, and the political landscape is no different, LaVigne explained. He shared that those in the seed indus- try and the ASTA team have been hard at work to develop and maintain relation- ships with those at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Office of the United States Trade Representative and many more. Attendees heard how ASTA works across the board to help facilitate trade, harmonize rules and regulations at the international level and advance inno- vation and sustainability efforts. “More people know about ASTA today than I think ever before,” LaVigne said. “We have become such a strong resource across the divide here in Washington, and across the country.” Becoming a go-to resource means making yourself available and heard. “We’ve got to be at the table,” LaVigne said, “and we’ve got to be at the table all the time.” Representatives from ASTA and FFA sign a Memorandum of Understanding, furthering their efforts to develop the leaders of tomorrow. FFA students talk about their role in the future of agriculture during one of the lightening rounds.