How One Advocacy Group Is Showing Up for the Specialty Crop Industry
RISE (Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment) held its annual Industry Issues Update at Cultivate’22 in Columbus, OH. During the gathering, attendees discussed the benefits of advocating for the specialty pesticide and fertilizer industry on the local, state, and national level.
Blaine Pinkerton, Vice President of Turf and Ornamental Sales, Nufarm, and Treasurer, RISE Governing Board, welcomed conference attendees to the breakfast, which included representatives from RISE member companies.
“We have to show up for the specialty industry. That could mean going to a local hearing on a bill that would affect what pesticide products you can use; engaging with your neighbors about the benefits of pesticides in our world; or getting more involved with RISE or American Hort. Getting involved in these issues really makes a difference and supports the work all of us are a part of,” Pinkerton said.
Megan Provost, RISE President, encouraged attendees to advocate for the industry and especially emphasized the importance of engaging with RISE’s Grassroots Network and other industry grassroots networks to help facilitate getting the word out about bills that would affect the specialty pesticide and fertilizer industry.
“One way to get involved if you’re just starting out with advocacy is to join a grassroots network. RISE has its very own Grassroots Network that makes it easy to hear about bills that would affect our industry’s freedom to operate. If you know about the bills that could affect you, it’s easy to step in and contact your elected representatives and share your voice,” Provost said.
Provost and Pinkerton were joined by Bert Lemkes, General Manager at Tri-Hishtil, and Dennis Niemeyer, a commercial horticulture consultant and owner of Magnolia Ridge Farms, who shared their personal advocacy success stories and some important tips to keep in mind.
“Advocacy is a critical tool that does work. It’s important to keep using this tool and continue to engage with elected representatives so we can all have our voices heard for the specialty pesticide and fertilizer industry,” Provost added.
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