By Laurie Bennett, NAICC President
The National Alliance of Independent Crop Consultants (NAICC) values the opportunity to speak with agricultural interest groups, policymakers and legislative members at the state and federal levels. We are proud to amplify the voices of our members, who have a wide array of backgrounds, education and experience across the nation.
We are exceptionally proud of the contributions of our Government Affairs Committee (GAC), one of our many influential committees within NAICC. The GAC monitors and discusses legislation and regulatory issues and policies, pending, proposed and needed — specifically those that will directly impact NAICC members — and also general agricultural, environmental and food issues on which NAICC may be consulted or wish to express an opinion.
The GAC convenes annually in Washington, D.C., to visit agricultural stakeholders and speak as one voice on issues critical to NAICC members and to agriculture. Our engagement builds credibility, ensuring our perspectives are considered during policy development or key decisions. The GAC focuses on issues that can make a major impact on not just policy but also on the daily lives and future of agricultural consultants and contract researchers like me.
In spring, the GAC met with key individuals discussing the following, with a brief highlight of our action:
- Endangered Species Act (ESA) — Discussions highlighted that with ESA compliance now embedded in pesticide labels and shared acknowledgment, consultants are respected to influence application decisions and encourage appropriate documentation to growers. Over the past four years, NAICC has offered field-based expertise to find workable solutions to growers and to state and federal agencies.
- Make America Healthy Act — A productive discussion with stakeholders focused on positive ways to bridge conversations between dedicated farmers and activist groups, creating a shared space where both sides feel heard, respected and aligned around a common goal of healthy, sustainable food production.
- EPA — A discussion with EPA officials focused on improving the efficiency of 2025 EPA audits and on expectations for 2026. NAICC presented a draft white paper outlining the application of EPA Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) terminology for selected studies involving genetically engineered crops. Other topics included the use of electronic data systems in regulated agricultural research and updates related to Pesticide Registration Improvement Act funding.
These highlights underscore that advocacy starts with people like our members and people like you. Consider reaching out to local and state partners — NRCS, Farm Bureau and others — to make your voice heard. When you share your story with community, state and federal leaders, you help advance agricultural priorities and strengthen the impact of the agricultural relationship at multiple levels.
National organizations are vital to legislative processes because they educate policymakers, defend stakeholder interests and amplify grassroots voices to shape effective policy. By leveraging collective expertise, they provide lawmakers with essential data, offer proactive defense against unfavorable regulations and influence decisions.
Please consider helping make a difference by sharing your passion, expertise and unwavering commitment to promote U.S. agriculture.
The National Alliance of Independent Crop Consultants (NAICC) is the national society of agriculture professionals who provide research and advisory services to clients for a fee. For more, go to NAICC.org.
