Members Put IFPA Advocacy Priorities into Action in D.C.

June 7, 2023

Washington D.C. – For the second week, International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) members are testifying at key hearings for the produce industry. The June 7 hearing is with the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry subcommittee on Food and Nutrition, Specialty Crops, Organics, and Research titled “How the Farm Bill Works for Specialty Crop Producers”.

“The Farm Bill is the single greatest investment in the produce and floral industries and is up for reauthorization every five years,” said IFPA Vice President of US Government Relations, Rebeckah Adcock. “Fresh produce comes together with our like-minded allies to advocate for policies that keep specialty crops competitive and provide the most nutritious, safe and delicious products to American families. Our members, with their first-hand experience of both policies that work and those that do not, make the best advocates before Members of Congress as they head into Farm Bill negotiations.”

Charles Wingard, vice president of field operations, Walter P. Rawl & Co., provided testimony on behalf of IFPA and the produce industry. Wingard also shared support for the work and recommendations of the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance. His testimony highlighted some of the key priorities critical to the success and growth of the specialty crops sector including crop insurance, conservation and the climate, nutrition, research, Specialty Crop Block Grants, organics, and trade.

Wingard commented on several topics where federal policies and programs significantly impact specialty crops.

“The current implementation of AGI limitations disproportionately prohibits specialty crop producers from participating in certain USDA programs in a meaningful way and potentially inhibits specialty crop producers from participating in disaster programs,” said Wingard. “USDA programs that require a means test for participation should be based on income derived from farming and be flexible enough to account for the variety of structures, accounting methods and other special considerations for specialty crop producers, not just their AGI.”

This has been a topic of concern for the industry, especially following the atmospheric river events in California earlier this year.

Wingard went on to prioritize support for the Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI), noting that “SCRI addresses the critical needs of our industry by awarding grants that support research and extension that address key challenges of national, regional, and multi-state importance in sustaining all components of food and agriculture, including conventional, contained environment and organic production systems. Currently, SCRI funds important projects in many states including at my alma mater, Clemson University, and at Penn State, Michigan State, Cornell and the University of Georgia to name a few.”

Wingard also put a spotlight on the intersection of the Farm Bill with the realities of production by drawing attention to a recent EPA announcement revoking registration of the herbicide, DCPA, without any available alternatives to growers like him.

“To effectively serve the specialty crop industry and American consumers, we need mechanisms in place that can fast track research and approval of crop protection tools,” said Wingard. “Both USDA’s Office of Pesticide Management Policy and the IR4 Project are key voices for specialty crop producers working with EPA on these issues and I implore you to elevate their mission and ensure their stable and robust funding.”

Members Put IFPA Advocacy Priorities into Action in D.C.

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