I spent the day pounding the pavement between the Senate and House of Representatives offices in Washington D.C. and seeing what our ASTA does for us all year long.
Today, I had the privilege of joining the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) for a day of advocacy on Capitol Hill during the Leadership Summit — a whirlwind tour through the offices of lawmakers who shape the policies that impact our seed industry every day.
I was part of the group led by Sam Crowell, ASTA’s senior director of international programs and policy. Together, we visited key legislators from Kentucky and Tennessee, starting with Sen. Bill Hagerty and Sen. Marsha Blackburn, followed by meetings with Sen. Rand Paul and Sen. Mitch McConnell. We wrapped up the day with Rep. Andy Ogles of Tennessee, and Reps. Thomas Massie and Brett Guthrie of Kentucky.
Each conversation was an opportunity to share what the seed industry is really about — how we touch everything from food security to innovation, environmental stewardship to rural economies. We talked about trade and tariffs, intellectual property protection, the upcoming Farm Bill, and the science behind seed coatings and treatments. The staffers we met with were not just polite; they were genuinely curious and engaged. That kind of reception makes a difference.
Altogether, ASTA members visited 85 legislators or their staff. That’s 85 chances to explain why seed isn’t just the start of agriculture — it is agriculture. The foundational work being done in seed research, breeding, and production supports every link in the food chain. It was clear that our stories — real examples from the ground — helped bring policy priorities into sharper focus.
Beyond the policy conversations, the day gave me a front-row seat to the passion and professionalism of the people who advocate for us day in and day out. I met some incredible folks in the seed sector, and we walked the halls of Congress together, united by a shared goal: protecting and advancing our industry.
It also cemented something for me personally — I do not want to be a professional lobbyist! That work is exhausting, strategic and relentless. However, we all need to be advocates and influencers every single day. I left Capitol Hill deeply grateful for the ASTA staff who do this every week, keeping our voices heard and our innovations supported.
As we said again and again in those meetings: Seed is the starting point. And thanks to ASTA’s leadership, that message is getting through — one office at a time.
Enjoy the photos below. My group included Crowell, myself, Lucas Solis (Pure Seed), Joseph Young (Summit Seed), John Seymour (Roundstone Seed), Bryan Gerard (Jomar Seeds), Tyson Greene (Titan Ag LLC), University of Minnesota Ph.D. student Chase Krug and representatives from Southeastern Seed Company including Walt Downing and Ben Wiggins.
