Thirteen Cotton Producers Join NCC Policy Education Program for 2014
January 30, 2014 Thirteen U.S. cotton producers have been selected to participate in the National Cotton Council Policy Education Program (PEP) for 2014.
Supported annually since 1999 by Syngenta Crop Protection through grants to The Cotton Foundation, PEP gives participants an opportunity to learn more about industry issues and the NCC’s policy development and implementation process. Participants also receive communications training as part of NCC efforts to identify, train and maintain capable industry spokespersons.
Participating in this year’s program are Jacob Appleberry and A.J. Hood, both from Tillar, AR.; Brandon Belch, Conway, NC; Jayme Dunn, Satana, KS; Scott Flowers, Clarksdale, MS; Philip Marek, Wharton, TX; Nick Marshall, Baker FL; Lance Miller, Boaz, AL; Steve Olson, Plainview, TX; Glenn Sapp, Sale City, GA; Chase Schuchard, Roscoe, TX; Nick Seaton, Meadow, TX; and Martin Stoerner, Lockney, TX.
The first 2014 PEP session will bring the program participants to the NCC Annual Meeting, February 7-9 in Washington, DC, where they will see representatives from the seven U.S. cotton industry segments in the 17 Cotton Belt states work out common problems and develop programs of mutual benefit. They will also see the formulation and implementation of NCC policy and NCC resolutions, which guide the organization’s efforts as it manages issues that confront the industry during the year.
In mid-July, the group will travel to Greensboro, NC, for a series of meetings with Syngenta’s management team, communications training, and a tour of the company’s research facilities. They will then return to Washington to visit with House and Senate agriculture committee staffs, meet with USDA officials and get a briefing from the NCC Washington operations staff.
More than 200 cotton producers have taken part in PEP over the past 15 years. John Gibson, NCC Member Services director and PEP coordinator, said Syngenta’s continued support of the program has enabled the NCC to raise awareness among producers of how the association functions and the challenges facing the industry.
“Providing these producers, for example, with a deeper understanding of federal farm policy, environmental issues and market development is invaluable,” Gibson said. “They understand better how these affect their industry’s health and competitive position in the world marketplace. This, in turn, helps the Council mobilize them when we need to advocate with lawmakers and other key officials.”
Source – National Cotton Council
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