b'Walking the Halls Where Ag Policy HappensI spent the day pounding theI HAD THE PRIVILEGEof joining the pavement between the SenateAmerican Seed Trade Association (ASTA) for a day of advocacy on Capitol Hill during the and House of RepresentativesLeadership Summita whirlwind tour through offices in Washington D.C. andthe offices of lawmakers who shape the policies seeing what ASTA does for thethat impact our seed industry every day.I was part of the group led by Sam Crowell, seed industry all year long. ASTAs senior director of international programs and policy. Together, we visited key legislators By Aimee Nielson, Seed World U.S. Editor from Kentucky and Tennessee, starting with Sen. Bill Hagerty and Sen. Marsha Blackburn, followed by meetings with Sen. Rand Paul and Sen. Mitch McConnell. We wrapped up the day with Rep. Andy Ogles of Tennessee, and Reps. Thomas Massie and Brett Guthrie of Kentucky.Sharing the Seed Story on the HillEach conversation was an opportunity to share what the seed industry is really abouthow we touch everything from food security toDID YOU innovation, environmental stewardship to ruralKNOW? economies. We talked about trade and tariffs,There are around intellectual property protection, the upcoming13,000 registered Farm Bill, and the science behind seed coatingsfederal lobbyists and treatments. The staffers we met with werein Washington, not just polite; they were genuinely curiousD.C. who actively and engaged. That kind of reception makes alobby Congress difference. each year. But, Altogether, ASTA members visited 85when you consider legislators or their staff. Thats 85 chances tothe revolving explain why seed isnt just the start of agriculturedoor effect (former officials,it is agriculture. The foundational work beingconsultants, part-done in seed research, breeding, and productiontime advocates), supports every link in the food chain. It wasestimates suggest clear that our storiesreal examples from thethe effective groundhelped bring policy priorities intonumber could be sharper focus. closer to 100,000.26/ SEEDWORLD.COMSEPTEMBER 2025'