b'Our group started the day with Sen. Hagerty and Sen. Blackburn(center in front of the podium) for a chat about seed industry priorities. Beyond the policy conversations, the day gave me a front-row seat to the passion and professionalism of the people who advocate for us day in and day out. I met some incredible folks in the seed sector, and we walked the halls of Congress together, united by a shared goal: protecting and advancing our industry.It also cemented something for me personallyI do not want to be a professional lobbyist! That work is exhausting, strategic and relentless. However, we all need to be advocates and influencers every single day. I left Capitol Hill deeply grateful for the ASTA staff who do this every week, keeping our voices heard and our innovations supported. Sam Crowell, Joseph Young, Chase Krug and Lucas Solis preparing toAs we said again and again in those meetings: meet with Sen. McConnells staff.Seed is the starting point. And thanks to ASTAs leadership, that message is getting throughone office at a time.My group included Crowell, myself, Lucas Solis (Pure Seed), Joseph Young (Summit Seed), John Seymour (Roundstone Seed), Bryan Gerard (Jomar Seeds), Tyson Greene (Titan Ag LLC), University of Minnesota Ph.D. student Chase Krug and representatives from Southeastern ON THE WEBWHERESeed Company including Walt Downing and Ben Wiggins.SWseedworld.com/us/2025/06/10/walking-the-halls-where-ag-policy-happens28/ SEEDWORLD.COMSEPTEMBER 2025'