US: Have breakfast with Congressman Jimmy Panetta

One of the floral industry’s biggest advocates in Congress will deliver the “pep talk” to CAD participants before they meet with lawmakers on Capitol Hill. The Society of American Florists secured Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-California) to address the Grassroots Breakfast during the 38th Annual Congressional Action Days in Washington, D.C., March 12-13.

“Congressman Panetta has been an advocate for the agriculture and floral industry since his first day in office,” said SAF Growers Council member Jamie Kitz of Sakata Seed America in Salinas, California. “He is proactive, championing many issues that affect our industry overall and the floral and agriculture businesses on the central California Coast.”

Kitz knows firsthand. In August, Rep. Panetta participated in a 45-minute tour of Sakata greenhouses and met with Kitz and former SAF Growers Council member Janet Louie of Green Valley Floral.

“Congressman Panetta was very interested in discussing the economic impact that potential policy changes will have and are having on our industry,” Kitz said. Meeting topics included crop protection, the Farm Bill, biotechnology and immigration.

Read more at safnow.org (Melanie Saxton)