One of IDFA’s goals this summer is to learn more about the relationships that members have with policymakers. Through its Grassroots Action Network for Dairy (GRAND), IDFA will send a survey to all GRAND key contacts in the coming weeks.

“We recognize that, increasingly, many IDFA members have strong relationships with lawmakers that have nothing to do with where they have plants,” said Ashley Burch, director of political programs for IDFA. “Whether you attend the same church as a member of Congress, your child plays on the same little league team, or you went to college with a congressional chief of staff, tracking all of these informal relationships is an essential part of IDFA’s grassroots efforts.”

The Grassroots Action Network for Dairy (GRAND) is an effective way for IDFA member companies to learn about priority dairy issues, advocate on those issues to Congress and cultivate strong relationships with legislators. One of the core elements of the GRAND Program is building and maintaining relationships with lawmakers and the GRAND Key Contacts are on the front line of this effort. Currently, IDFA keeps detailed records on member plant locations, matched by zip code with each congressional district.

“This information, though important, is incomplete without also including these more informal relationships that don’t necessarily have geographic borders,” said Burch. “We hope that every GRAND key contact will take a few minutes to complete the survey and return it to IDFA so that we can work with you to make the most of your far-reaching contacts.”

All information obtained from these surveys will be kept strictly confidential. For more information on the GRAND program, or any of IDFA’s political programs, visit www.dairycounts.org.

If you are not currently a GRAND Key Contact and want to receive the survey and IDFA’s grassroots action alerts, complete and return this form.

Members may contact Burch at aburch@idfa.org or (202) 220-3534 with any questions.