Big Grower January 2022 - 9

THE LEGISLATIVE FRONT
certain specialized job duties like truck driving or on-farm construction.
We're right in the middle of efforts to coordinate and advance response
strategies, but expect a tough and expensive program to grow more so.
There is still a slim chance Congress will legislate on ag labor. Last
March, the House passed the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, which
featured quite a few improvements (plus a few things we don't like). A
Senate negotiation started last summer but stalled when Democrats decided
to try to use the budget reconciliation process to move a broad legalization.
As 2021 concluded, that effort was still under way. If it fails, we could
still see a limited effort to move a package of border and asylum reforms,
relief for DREAMers, and an agricultural piece. We really need legislative
relief, but the odds are not so good, given political gridlock and footdragging
by some farm groups.
We'll also be working on an avalanche of health and safety-related
measures ranging from vaccination requirements to a possible new heat
illness standard. A mix of offense and defense, to be sure.
NEW CROP INSURANCE OPTION
At any given time, AmericanHort and our Horticultural Research
Institute foundation are working to resolve several high-consequence
plant pest and trade challenges that can disrupt the greenhouse and
nursery supply chain. Rarely do disease introductions in the United States
occur thanks to the vigilance of the industry and our regulatory partners
confirmed detections may lead to costly loss or destruction of exposed
plants. A new crop insurance policy under development by the USDA
could help greenhouse growers manage this financial risk.
The country is currently
short 80,000 commercial
drivers according to
the American Trucking
Associations, and the
number is expected to
double by 2030.
The 2018 Farm Bill asked USDA to study the viability of a policy based
on the risk of plant disease outbreaks, particularly cases that trigger
federal or state quarantines or destruction orders. Senator Debbie
Stabenow, chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, championed the
requirement, citing the financial strain on growers caused by the outbreak
of Ralstonia solanacearum race 3 biovar 2 (RSr3b2) in 2004. AmericanHort
partnered with the Michigan Greenhouse Growers Council to support
the Senator's initiative, implementation of which received even greater
priority following another RSr3b2 emergency program in 2020.
AmericanHort closely followed the research phase of implementation
last year, which culminated in a decision by USDA to develop insurance
coverage. In November, USDA approached AmericanHort for technical
assistance with their disease risk assessment and insurance pricing model.
The advocacy team, along with our members who convened in support
of the project, provided expert feedback over a series of meetings on
pest and disease controls to further USDA's understanding of greenhouse
industry practices, which we hope will ultimately contribute to a more
affordable risk management tool for growers.
USDA expects the product will launch on a pilot basis in late 2022, with
coverage initially available in a limited number of counties during the
2023 growing season. Several steps of policy development and approval
remain, including a decision about where in the country to offer the
coverage. AmericanHort will remain engaged throughout the process and
looks forward to educating members about how this new tool may fit into
their overall risk management strategy.
CLIMATE-SMART AGRICULTURE
During his first week in office, President Biden signed an Executive
Order for federal agencies to prioritize tackling the climate crisis at home
and abroad. Within the first 100 days, USDA compiled stakeholder input
on sustainable agriculture into a climate-smart agriculture and forestry
strategy. In general, the strategy supports the following objectives:
1. more efficient use of energy, water, fertilizer, pesticides and
other production inputs;
2. expansion of renewable energy sources;
3. adoption of emission-lowering equipment and practices; and
4. standardized measurement of carbon sequestration and
development of carbon markets.
While growers broadly share these objectives, USDA learned by
soliciting public feedback that many find the financial and technical
barriers to entry overwhelming. Using his existing authority to facilitate
agriculture production and marketing (same authority used previously to
fund portions of USDA's pandemic relief), Secretary Vilsack is developing
financial incentives and technical assistance for agriculture to adapt
climate-smart practices - initially on a demonstration project basis,
and then through permanent programs. AmericanHort is focused on
positioning our industry to access these programs.
SUPPLY CHAIN RESILIENCY
Issues within the supply chain will most likely continue into 2022, with
AmericanHort on the lookout for legislation and proposals to ease the pain
points that horticulture business owners are facing.
In February, the Biden administration issued an executive order
directing numerous federal agencies to secure and strengthen America's
supply chains. This order tasked the agencies to identify supply chain
vulnerabilities in their domain and make recommendations to address
these risks. Many relevant agencies to our industry have yet to release
their findings but will likely do so in the coming months.
The Biden administration has also taken additional relief measures to
include allowing ports to redirect other federal funds to ease backlogs,
24-hour operation at ports, and easing the process of obtaining commercial
driver's licenses.
AmericanHort will continue to focus on measures to increase the pool
of commercial drivers in the U.S. The country is currently short 80,000
commercial drivers according to the American Trucking Associations, and
the number is expected to double by 2030 due to expected retirements.
The Department of Transportation will soon roll out a three-year pilot
program for the youngest commercial drivers aged 18-20 to drive beyond
state lines, if these drivers complete an apprenticeship-type program.
Contained in the bipartisan infrastructure bill, this program is derived
from the DRIVE Safe Act, a legislative priority for AmericanHort in 2021.
Although not a complete solution, experts believe that it will entice young
drivers to make commercial driving a career.
Predominately because of the experience of our professional team and
the coalitions in which we participate, AmericanHort exercises significant
advocacy leverage for our industry. We continue to deepen investment
in resources and capabilities to address key advocacy issues important to
the success of our member-business owners while protecting the industry
from potentially harmful effects of legislation and government regulation.
In the coming year, we look forward to helping your business navigate
the risks and opportunities in Washington. Our ultimate success depends
on your support; as the adage goes, complaining is free; everything else
costs money!
Tal Coley is senior director, advocacy and government affairs; Evan Lee
is director of policy and government relations; and Craig Regelbrugge is
executive vice president of advocacy, research, and industry relations at
AmericanHort. They can be reached at talc@americanhort.org, evanl@
americanhort.org and craigr@americanhort.org, respectively.
JANUARY 2022 9
Big Grower January 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Big Grower January 2022
