By Clint Thompson
The National Pecan Federation’s (NPF) Political Action Committee (PAC) is essential to the future of the industry in the Southeast. Growers in Alabama and Georgia need PAC to have a seat at the table when dealing with lawmakers who could shape the industry’s future.
Georgia grower Marianne Brown was part of a panel discussion at this year’s 60th annual Georgia Pecan Growers Association Conference and Trade Show. The panel emphasized PAC’s importance.
“They know we’re here, but if we don’t have anybody there representing pecans and saying how that works for pecans, programs for walnuts, pistachios, fruits and vegetables isn’t necessarily going to translate to the pecan grower,” said Brown. “It’s also important that they know how pecans were affected in a disaster or a drought.”
Accomplishments
The NPF/PAC has helped lower India tariffs on pecan exports; worked to establish current import assessment program at U.S. Customs; procured millions in funding for pecan breeding research; reformed pecan crop insurance; and secured pecan disaster assistance for the 2023 and 2024 crops.
Brown, along with fellow growers and industry leaders like Trent Mason, Arren Moses, Buck Paulk and Bryan Peters emphasized the importance of the industry having one voice when discussing legislative issues.
“I think we have more power. We’re 15 states coming together. That’s a lot of state representatives, legislators that are helping us get what we need. We have meetings and know what the priorities are,” Brown said. “Just as much as we’re taking care of hurricane disasters, we’re taking care of drought for other people out west, whatever they’re experiencing. We’re going in with one message and getting the people that can further our message. They’re supporters of production ag. I think it’s really important that we’re not mixing messages; we have one voice and want one thing.”
PAC priorities include further improvements to the federal pecan crop insurance; continued funding for processing and breeding research; capitalize the farm bill for pecan priorities and acquire a PQ code for inshell pecans in India.