New Speakers Announced for Impact Washington Include Big Names in Ag

Posted by Brian Sparks|August 22, 2023

AmericanHort has updated the agenda of its Impact Washington Summit with additional prominent speakers. The event, which takes place in Washington DC, from September 18-20, will provide an opportunity for industry leaders to engage with lawmakers through face-to-face meetings to discuss issues impacting the horticulture sector.

Joining popular two-term Maryland Governor Larry Hogan who will headline the event, esteemed speakers added to the lineup include the following:

Representative John Duarte (R-CA-13), a fourth-generation farmer and businessman who holds key subcommittee assignments: the House Committee on Agriculture; the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee; and House Natural Resources Committee.
Representative Abigail Spanberger (D-VA-07), a former federal agent with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and then as a Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) case officer. Rep. Spanberger was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2018. She currently serves on the House Agriculture Committee and the House Intelligence Committee. Last month she announced she will run for governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia in 2025.
Representative David Valadao (R-CA-22), a five-term Congressman. Rep. Valadao has established himself as a leader in agriculture and water policy. He has served on the influential House Appropriations Committee, with the responsibility to determine how American tax dollars get spent. He also works on the House Budget Committee. He serves on the Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, as well as on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies, and the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development.
Representative Jim Costa (D-CA-21), a grandson of immigrants and raised on a dairy farm. Rep. Costa applies his farming background to find for water, agriculture, healthcare, and the economy. He is a member of the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Foreign Affairs Committee. He is also a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, amongst others.

Additional speakers have been invited and are yet to be confirmed.

“It is more important than ever to attend the Impact Washington Summit and engage with your lawmakers,” says Matt Mika, Vice President, Advocacy and Government Affairs for AmericanHort. “The current Congress is relatively new, and we have an opportunity to educate them about our unique industry needs. Moreover, this year Congress needs to reauthorize the Farm Bill, which expires on September 30. The Farm Bill is the primary source of funding for horticulture research, pest and disease mitigation, and other priorities that impact our industry.” To learn more about the 118th Congress, click here.

In addition to these distinguished speakers, AmericanHort is honored to share that Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19), a Ways and Means, Budget and Armed Services Committee member, and true friend and champion of the green industry, will be attending the PlantPAC dinner as a special guest. Representative Panetta’s presence will provide an opportunity for attendees to engage in important discussions regarding the future of the horticulture industry. For more information on PlantPAC, click here.