For the first time since 2020, when it barely snuck in under the pandemic wire, Michigan Farm Bureau is headed to the nation’s capital for the Washington Legislative Seminar. Almost 100 Farm Bureau from across Michigan members will be in D.C. March 21-23 to meet with members of Congress and federal regulatory agencies on behalf of Michigan agriculture.
Post-Covid and with a whole new political dynamic in play, it’s exciting to get our members back in action, representing Michigan agriculture on the national stage. They’ll focus on three issue tracks: The 2023 Farm Bill, International Trade and Agricultural Chemistry.
The 2023 Farm Bill group will head to the Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill, where they’ll hear from a Senate Agriculture Committee panel and farm policy Issue experts.
The International Trade group will visit the British Embassy and dive into trade dynamics with Great Britain and other international relationships.
The Agricultural Chemistry group will spend an afternoon at the American Farm Bureau Federation offices, where they’ll hear from a lineup of environmental experts from the EPA, USDA and Minor Crop Farm Alliances. Their focus will be on pesticide regulations and other environmental challenges.
One of the seminar’s key purposes is to get members on Capitol Hill to meet with their member of Congress and confer with them on the issues they examined the day before. Wednesday afternoon members will break into groups by Congressional district and head to the Hill to put their knowledge, experience and personal stories into action.
New to this year’s program is Wednesday’s keynote speaker, Doug McKalip, chief agricultural negotiator with the office of the U.S. Trade Representative. Also part of Wednesday’s breakfast program will be AFBF staffer Randy Dwyer, sharing tips on how to most effectively share stories and connect with members of Congress.
During the closing breakfast participants will hear from retiring Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow.
Click here to see the full agenda, more information on the issue tracks, and a roster of members attending this year’s Washington Legislative Seminar. Keep reading Farm Gate for details on the 2025 event.
Interested in attending the next WLS in 2025? Stay tuned for details forthcoming in Farm Gate, or contact Melissa Palma, 517-323-6740.
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