Nearly 70 phallus of Congress and their staff take heed from flowered professional in Washington D.C. on March 29 about the industry ’s indigence for farming labor reform , access to duty - free intersection , and more funds for floriculture research . Growers , wholesalers , retail florists and others with ties to the industry fill virtually and in person with legislators and their staffs during the Society of American Florists ’ 42nd annual Congressional Action Clarence Day .
“ By coming together and having conversation , we make a difference , ” allege SAF President Michelle Castellano Keeler , AAF . “ legislator do n’t know the efflorescence industry . Every office we visit amplifies the industry ’s voice on the Hill . ”
The flowered industry took to the Hill and specifically demand members of Congress to reauthorize the Generalized System of Preferences , which take out tariffs from sure significance — including roses ; reform the H-2A visa program to make it more workable , providing a reliable , legal source of labour ; and apportion an extra $ 2 million to the Floriculture and Nursery Research Initiative .
flowered pro bolstered their messages to lawmakers by target out that other industry also digest to benefit from their requests . The messages attain home with representatives and their aides , include New Jersey Senator Corey Booker ’s office , which has been particularly interested in government issue related to agriculture since Booker joined the Senate Agriculture Committee last year .
During a meeting with Booker ’s part , SAF Chairperson Chris Drummond , AAF , PFCI , of cent ’s by Plaza Flowers in Philadelphia , explain that each of the issue he presented has a trickle - down effect in the flowered industry .
“ As a retailer , I desire to get the proficient products , ” Drummond tell a legislative aide-de-camp . “ I require the best assortments for my customers , grown in sustainable ways . When we talk about ag labor issues , we are on the receiving side . If farm are successful , we are successful . ”
Drummond explained how bloom grower are suffer when they do n’t have the hands to harvest their crop , and how that labour shortage ultimately affects florists and consumer .
He also urged Booker ’s office to take action on reauthorizing the GSP , which would remove a 6.8 percent duty on Ecuadorian roses . And , when Drummond request an additional $ 2 million for the Floriculture Nursery Research Initiative ( FNRI ) , he gas recent “ smart - spray ” research halt from FNRI that helped not just the flowered industry , but other agriculture sector .
Those issues were carry to congressional offices over and over Tuesday , giving the manufacture a unified voice . Attendees were first coach on how to speak about the issues with legislator — including role - play exercises — by SAF lobbyists Joe Bischoff and Allie Locke .
During a grassroots breakfast presentation , attendees also heard from Rep. Dan Kildee ( D - Michigan ) , who as a young serviceman worked at a Flint , Michigan floral shop . Kildee thanked the participant for make the metre to be in the land ’s capital , saying legislator have been out of touch with their constituents because of the pandemic “ The only way [ this ] process works is by doing what you are doing here now … What you are doing is fundamental to the democratic society . ”
Many attendee express surprise at how eager lawgiver and their staff were to get word more about the flowered industry , and as David Boulton , AAF , PFCI , of blossom By George in Arlington , Washington level out , attendees left D.C. with new connection . “ It ’s about building family relationship , ” he pronounce .
For more information : SAFsafnow.org
