Photo courtesy of SAF.
Nearly 70 members of Congress and their staffs heard from floral professionals in Washington D.C. on March 29 about the industry’s need for agricultural labor reform, access to duty-free product and more funds for cutting-edge floriculture research.
Growers, wholesalers, retail florists and others with ties to the industry met virtually and in person with legislators and their staffs during the Society of American Florists’ (SAF) 42nd annual Congressional Action Days.
“By coming together and having conversation, we make a difference,” Michelle Castellano Keeler, SAF president, said at the Kick-Off Breakfast on Monday. “Legislators don’t know the flower industry. Every office we visit amplifies the industry’s voice on the Hill.”
The floral industry took to the Hill on Tuesday and specifically asked members of Congress to reauthorize the Generalized System of Preferences, which removes tariffs from certain imports — including roses; reform the H-2A visa program to make it more workable, providing a reliable, legal source of labor; and allocate an additional $2 million to the Floriculture and Nursery Research Initiative to study the use of drones in agriculture.
Floral professionals bolstered their messages to lawmakers by pointing out that other industries also stand to benefit from their requests.
The messages hit home with representatives and their aides, including New Jersey Senator Corey Booker’s office, which has been particularly interested in issues related to agriculture since Booker joined the Senate Agriculture Committee last year.
During a meeting with Booker’s office, Chris Drummond of Penny’s by Plaza Flowers in Philadelphia and SAF chairperson, explained that each of the issues he presented has a trickle-down effect in the floral industry.
“As a retailer, I want to get the best products,” Drummond told a legislative aide. “I want the best assortments for my customers, grown in sustainable ways. When we talk about ag labor issues, we are on the receiving side. If farms are successful, we are successful.”
For the full story on the SAF website, click here.