By Mark Chander
Last week
several of our wine industry peer organizations came to Washington, DC for a
policy conference hosted by Winegrape Growers of America (WGA) and the National
Wine and Grape Initiative (NGWI). Other industry partners such as Wine
Institute, American Farm Bureau, and state and regional associations also
participated (Atlantic Seaboard, California, Colorado, Maryland, Missouri, New
York and Washington) - about 35 in the entire group. Most of the meetings and
hill visits were coordinated by the very capable Cornerstone Government Affairs
group, the new lobbying firm for the California Association of Winegrape
Growers.
Coalition
partners were able to meet with several key committees and agencies – House and
Senate Agriculture Appropriations, House Horticulture Subcommittee, House
Judiciary legal staff, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS),
USDA Risk Management Agency, TTB and the National Institute of Food and
Agriculture. The primary policy matters addressed were funding for the Farm
Bill, maintaining Specialty Crop Research and Block Grant initiatives, and
immigration.
One entire
day was set aside for a visit to the USDA Agricultural Research Service Center
in Beltsville, MD, where the group was updated on cutting edge research in
genotyping, agrosystems and environmental management, phenotyping, and crop
protection.
Visits to
Capitol Hill allowed us to meet with Rep. Kurt Schrader (OR), Rep. Sam Farr
(CA), House Majority Leader Rep. Eric Cantor (VA), Rep. Jeff Denham (CA), Rep.
Jim Costa (CA), Rep. David Valadeo (CA) and House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy
(CA). Several attendees met with their representatives individually. With the
budget votes hanging in the balance it was a critical time to have a presence
on Capitol Hill.
A “Taste
of the Grape” reception was held one evening, where wines from CA, VA, MO, NY,
WA and CO were poured for the enthusiastic congressional staff and agency
personnel.
Overall we
found an unexpectedly aware group of people, who knew our issues, and listened
to our stories. It is this type of contact that makes the difference between
“being at the table, rather than on the menu” as expressed by one of our
pundits. We are hopeful that funding for our priorities remains stable.
I strongly
encourage as many WineAmerica members as possible to join us May 13-15 for our
Annual Meeting, where similar opportunities will be offered. There is no
substitute for one-on-one contacts with your legislators, who pay particular
attention when you spend your time and energy to come visit them at their
offices in Washington, DC.
Please
join us!
Register for the WineAmerica Policy Conference here: http://wamembers.grow-clients.com/
