Two IDFA member companies made their voices heard at agriculture roundtables hosted last week by their representatives and senators. Members of Congress hosted the discussions to learn about the top issues affecting the agricultural industry in their states and to hear concerns and comments from constituents to take back to Washington.

Through its Grass Roots Action Network for Dairy (GRAND), IDFA provided materials and talking points for the members to share during the discussions.

Frank Otis, president and CEO of Crystal Creamery, and Crystal Dohner, who is responsible for Crystal Creamery’s business development, were invited last Friday to share their concerns with Representative Jeff Denham (R-CA) at a roundtable in Modesto, Calif. Many factions of the agricultural industry were represented, and the discussions focused on water, immigration and trade, specifically the Trans-Pacific Partnership.  

In addition to Crystal Creamery, other participants included Duarte Nursery, California Women for Agriculture, California Farm Bureau, California Fresh Fruit Association, Blue Diamond Growers and Land O’ Lakes.

“The Ag Roundtable with Congressman Denham gave us the opportunity to not only talk about important issues that are critical to the dairy industry, but also allowed us to thank the Congressman for all of the support that he has shown over the past several years,” said Dohner.

Roundtable in Iowa

Also on Friday, representatives from Anderson Erickson Dairy Company attended a roundtable in Des Moines, Iowa, with Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Pat Roberts (R-KS), chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee. At the meeting were Miriam Erickson Brown, president and CEO of Anderson Erickson Dairy Company, and Warren Erickson, CFO of the company.

“The roundtable was a nice opportunity to visit with Senator Grassley and laid the groundwork for us to follow up with him later,” said Erickson Brown.

IDFA members interested in engaging with their members of Congress through GRAND or those who would like more information on IDFA’s political involvement campaign, Dairy Counts, may visit www.dairycounts.org.

Members may also contact Ashley Burch, IDFA director of political programs, at (202) 220-3534 or aburch@idfa.org for more information.