Representative Sean Duffy (R-WI) gained a new perspective on the cheese industry last Friday when he toured the Antigo, Wis., facility of Sartori Company, a fourth-generation, family-owned and operated business headquartered in Plymouth, Wis. Duffy, a member of the sophomore class of Congress, sits on the House Financial Services Committee, the House Committee on the Budget and the Joint Economic Committee.

Jon Gougar, Sartori plant manager, and Larry Steckbauer, Sartori production supervisor, provided a brief history of the company and the plant, which makes a variety of artisanal cheeses, before escorting the legislator and his staff through the facility.

Plant tours are an excellent way for members of Congress to learn more about a particular industry, its challenges and its contribution to the local, regional and national economy. A typical plant tour usually lasts about an hour, covers the history and current function of the plant, and includes opportunities for legislators to talk with plant employees. IDFA can help members to coordinate all aspects of a tour with the appropriate congressional office.

"There is no better way to connect on a personal level with lawmakers than by inviting them to your business and allowing them to see firsthand how it operates and what it needs to be successful, and perhaps more importantly, what it does not need," said Jerry Slominski, IDFA senior vice president for legislative and economic affairs. "We encourage IDFA members to consult us and to use our experience and staff when they consider getting involved in state and federal political relationship-building.”

IDFA members interested in arranging a plant tour for one or more of their members of Congress, may contact Ashley Burch, IDFA assistant director of political programs, at (202) 220-3534 or aburch@idfa.org. For more information on IDFA’s political involvement campaign, Dairy Counts, visit www.dairycounts.org.