In the agriculture world, there’s plenty of associations, these associations co-ordinate everything from professional development to research activities. Producer and industry associations aren’t just there for hands on help though, they also act as go-betweens for the political world and ag. They’ll keep up to date on different political happenings to report back to their members and will craft statements and work with politicians on different policies.
On the July 19 episode of Seed Speaks, we’re taking a closer look at just how much sway ag producer and industry associations have in the political world. We’re joined by Janae Brady, vice-president of government affairs for the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) and Keith Currie, president of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA).
Brady leads the federal advocacy efforts on behalf of the seed industry through her position at ASTA. Before working at ASTA she served as staff for Chairman Pat Roberts on the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry. Brady successfully led negotiations on the trade and research titles during the 2018 Farm Bill reauthorization. She also represented Roberts during the consultation process for multiple international trade negotiations, including the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement. Brady has degrees from Kansas State University and George Washington University.
Currie is an eight-generation grain, oilseed, forage and flower farmer in Collingwood, Ont. He has a diploma in agriculture production management from the University of Guelph. Currie has served on numerous agriculture boards and organizations at the regional, provincial and federal levels over the years for both livestock and cropping organizations. He was the past president of Ontario Federation of Agriculture before taking on his current role with CFA.
