Topics in this issue of Blues Update:
- From the Chair: Ensuring Our Voices Are Heard in Washington, D.C.
- Blueberry Industry Delegation Advocates for Policies That Support Competitiveness of U.S. Farmers in D.C.
- Rep. Kat Cammack Honored With Blueberry Pinnacle Award
- Red, White and Blueberry Reception
- Check Out Our Blueberry Hill Climb Info Pack
From the Chair: Ensuring Our Voices Are Heard in Washington, D.C.
By Teddy Koukoulis
NABC Chair
In late March, I joined members of the blueberry industry and NABC staff at The Blueberry Hill Climb and Industry Meetings. This critical event allowed us to connect with the Trump administration, members of Congress and other policymakers to share the blueberry industry’s needs and interests.
Reflecting on the event, I can say for sure that there’s no better way to ensure our united voices and shared concerns are heard than through these in-person meetings that we feel will move the needle for the blueberry industry.
While there, we focused our conversations on getting a Farm Bill done and addressing ongoing challenges with the H-2A program. We also met with leadership at the White House and the office of the U.S. Trade Representative about the president’s tariff agenda, how counter-seasonal imports help drive consumer demand, and how the administration can help U.S. growers by reducing regulatory burdens, fixing the H-2A program and driving down input costs.
And, during our meeting with the new chief of staff of the USDA Farm Programs and Conservation mission area, NABC members Tammy and Andy Brannen explained that excessive winds during Hurricane Helene caused significant damage to their operation in Georgia. However, their county was not triggered for a Hurricane Insurance Protection-Wind Index (HIP-WI) payment.
Thanks to our previous advocacy efforts after the hurricane, days later, the Risk Management Agency (RMA) announced that they had reanalyzed the NOAA data and determined that producers in additional counties were in fact qualified to receive payments.
It’s results like this that truly prove the value of advocacy and connection!
I encourage you to read this special edition of NABC Blues Update to learn about the many ways we had an impact in our nation’s capital. It was impressive!
From meetings with policymakers to hearing from impressive keynote speakers to honoring Rep. Kat Cammack with the Blueberry Pinnacle Award to hosting the Red, White and Blueberry Reception, the blueberry industry’s presence was felt deeply in D.C.
Thank you to all who took time away from their operations and family to join our delegation. I’m convinced it made all the difference!
Blueberry Industry Delegation Advocates for Policies That Support Competitiveness of U.S. Farmers in D.C.
A delegation of 88 blueberry industry members and NABC staff headed to Washington, D.C., late last month as part of The Blueberry Hill Climb. Our group visited 35 offices on Capitol Hill, holding 16 member-level meetings; met with staff from each of USDA’s mission areas; honored Rep. Kat Cammack (R-FLA) with the Blueberry Pinnacle Award; and hosted the very popular Red, White and Blueberry Reception in the House Agriculture Committee Room.
The annual Blueberry Hill Climb brings together growers, handlers, researchers and allied industry members to address the blueberry industry’s biggest policy priorities with Congress and the presidential administration.
Throughout our meetings, the delegation advocated for policies that support the competitiveness of U.S. blueberry farmers, such as the Farm Bill, H-2A reform and improved access to key foreign markets.
During an impactful meeting at The White House, the delegation discussed key issues impacting U.S. agriculture, pain points blueberry growers are experiencing and the future of the blueberry industry. As a part of their visit, farmers also met with the chairs of House and Senate Agriculture Committees – Rep. G.T. Thompson (R-PA) and Sen. John Boozman (R-AR), respectively.
At USDA, the delegation met with teams from the USDA’s Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs (TFAA); Marketing and Regulatory Programs (MRP); Research, Education and Economics (REE); Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS); and Farm Programs and Conservation (FPAC) mission areas. Jennifer Tiller, chief of staff to the Office of the Deputy Secretary and senior advisor to the Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services, addressed the group later in the week as a keynote speaker.
Tate Bennett of the America First Policy Institute, and former special assistant to President Trump on agriculture and agriculture trade, was the featured speaker at the “Inspiring Possibilities” dinner.
The Red, White and Blueberry Reception, held in the House Agriculture Committee Room with a blueberry-themed menu, was attended by over 150 members of Congress and their staff, and featured appearances by Chair G.T. Thompson (R-PA) and Rep. David Rouzer (R-N.C.).
Rep. Kat Cammack Honored With Blueberry Pinnacle Award
Rep. Kat Cammack (R-FLA) was honored with the Blueberry Pinnacle Award at a keynote session and awards breakfast held during the Hill Climb. The award is presented annually to a distinguished member of Congress who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in advancing policies that enhance the competitiveness of U.S. blueberry growers.
Cammack serves on the House Agriculture and House Energy and Commerce Committees where she has brought attention to the challenges faced by Florida’s farmers, ranchers and producers due to rising inflation, labor challenges and supply-chain issues.
She has co-sponsored legislation to improve agricultural disaster relief, ensuring that farmers have the support they need to recover from unexpected challenges. She has worked to make sure that the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program reflects the real priorities of growers, helping direct essential resources to where they matter most. And she has been a steadfast advocate for increasing funding for the Specialty Crop Research Initiative and securing new funding for mechanization and automation.
We’re grateful for all of Rep. Cammack’s efforts on behalf of farmers and the blueberry industry!
Red, White and Blueberry Reception
The Red, White and Blueberry Reception, held in the House Agriculture Committee Room, was attended by over 150 members of Congress and their staff, and featured appearances by Chair G.T. Thompson (R-PA) and Rep. David Rouzer (R-N.C.).
During the reception, attendees enjoyed a blueberry-themed menu that included seasonal vegetable crudité with blueberry ranch dressing, blueberry hummus with roasted vegetable and pita bread, chicken satay with blueberry ginger sauce, mini blueberry quesadillas, blueberry ricotta bruschetta and blueberry hot chocolate.
The event and the blueberry-infused dishes were a huge hit with all who attended!
Check Out Our Blueberry Hill Climb Info Pack
If you missed the Hill Climb and would like to see what we shared with policymakers, or if you attended and would like a copy of our materials, check out our official information packet.
Then, stay tuned for news on how to participate next year as an advocate for the success of the blueberry industry.