With the Farm Bill back on the Congressional agenda, this year's Advocacy Day and Hill visits are critical to the advancement of organic. Thank you for your dedication to advocating across Capitol Hill for organic policy priorities that will ensure responsive organic standards, thriving American farmers, and resilient supply chains. If you are attending Organic Week and have not yet signed up for Hill Visits, please contact Laura Holm to get involved.
The Advocacy Day Prep Webinars section below includes links to the recordings and slides for both prep webinars that OTA hosted. All Advocacy Day participants should watch the Policy Asks webinar to learn about our asks and talking points for 2023.
Contact
Advocacy Associates App
Your personalized Hill Visit schedule and resources are available through the Advocacy Associates App. You can find instructions for downloading and using the app below. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact app support here: ota.constituentvoice.net/contact
Advocacy Associates App Instructions
Resources
Click below to download each of the Hill resources. Each resource is included in the Hill packets that we'll leave at each office - with State Sheets customized based on location. OTA members can download their personal copy here or find it in the Advocacy Associates App.
| Organic Farm Bill Policy Priorities | Organic 101 |
| Continuous Improvement and Accountability in Organic Standards | The Organic Opportunity |
| State Sheets |
Blue
All Advocacy Day participants are responsible for their own transportation to and from Capitol Hill. We recommend attendees allow for 30 minutes of travel between the Yours Truly Hotel and Hill offices. Transportation options include Uber/Lyft, DC Metro from Farragut West station to Capitol South station or Farragut North station to Union Station, and DC Yellow Cab.
As you meet with Members of Congress and organic industry leaders during Organic Week, be sure to share your favorite moments on social media to expand their reach! The $67+ billion per year organic industry is dynamic and evolving, and your friends and followers should know how proud you are to be a part of it.
1. Share Highlights from Organic Week
2. Tweet Thank You Messages to Congress After Your Hill Meetings
Don't forget to tag @OrganicTrade and use hashtag #OrganicWeekDC
Download Social Media Instructions
Did you know that almost all Members of Congress are on Twitter? Connecting with your Senator or Representative on social media is a simple act that can go a long way in building relationships on the Hill and sharing talking points with policymakers about the importance of organic.
If you have a Twitter account, (business or personal), be sure to follow up your meetings with a friendly tweet!
- QUICK TIPS
- Post with OTA’s event hashtag #OrganicWeekDC and tag us @OrganicTrade
- Share positive messages from #OrganicWeekDC about the growth of organic
- Thank your Member of Congress for taking the time to speak with you
- Include the Twitter handle of your Member of Congress and Conference keynote speakers
- Take a photo with your Member of Congress and other OTA members in your group to share along with your post
- Favorite and retweet if your member of congress retweets or replies
- We also encourage you to post on any of your favorite social media channels using #OrganicWeekDC
Suggested Tweets
Standard Thank You:
Thank you @[member handle] for taking the time to meet with @OrganicTrade to talk about organic policy priorities! #OrganicWeekDC
Benefits of Organic (Member of Congress):
.@[member handle] thank you for meeting with @OrganicTrade to discuss how organic is good for people, the planet, and business. #OrganicWeekDC
Benefits of Organic (General):
Organic is one of the fastest-growing food and farming sectors and the only one that is federally certified and guaranteed! Organic is climate-smart, protects consumer health, creates jobs, and lifts rural economies. @OrganicTrade #OrganicWeekDC
Farm Bill (Member of Congress):
Thank you @[member handle] for meeting with @OrganicTrade; we look forward to your support of organic policy priorities in the 2023 Farm Bill! #OrganicWeekDC
Farm Bill (General) - Congress:
Support @OrganicTrade’s organic Farm Bill priorities to ensure responsive organic standards, thriving American farmers, and resilient organic supply chains!#OrganicWeekDC
Advocacy Day Prep Webinars
All Advocacy Day participants should watch the Organic Policy Asks & Talking Points prep webinar posted below to be prepared for the talking points for on the Hill. This must-watch webinar includes critical information to ensure a successful day on the Hill.
Blue
Whether you’re an expert lobbyist or new to lobbying on the Hill, OTA’s staff - Peter Mihalick, Senior Director of Government Affairs, and Laura Holm, Legislative and Farm Policy Associate, – will walk you through what to expect for the #OrganicWeekDC Advocacy Day experience, including how you’ll travel to your meetings, how to interact with the Members of Congress and their staff, where to grab lunch or coffee nearby, what to wear, and best practices to prepare with and find your team and Team Leader.
A Congressional Hill staffer joins us to talk about how to best position your business's story and what moves the needle on the Hill, and Lincoln Clapper from Advocacy Associates to show you how use the App, where and when to find your Hill materials, how to access your schedule, and how to find support throughout your time on the Hill. This can’t-miss session is for anyone lobbying the Hill on Thursday, May 11th.
- Presenters:
- Lincoln Clapper, Chief Sales Officer | Advocacy Associates
- Laura Holm, Legislative and Farm Policy Associate | Organic Trade Association
- Peter Mihalick, Senior Director of Government Affairs | Organic Trade Association
- Grace Bellone, Sr. Legislative Assistant, Representative John Curtis R-UT | U.S. House of Representatives
You can access the presentation slides here and view the recorded training below.
You’ve learned our Advocacy Day 101 and how to use the App, and you are excited to be advocating in DC. In the days leading up to #OrganicWeekDC 2023, join Peter Mihalick and Laura Holm as they detail the OTA asks and how to relate those to your business’ story. During this session, we’ll have our Hill materials for you to review and ask questions about. All Advocacy Day participants are expected to attend this session. If you are unable to attend live, the session will be recorded and shared with all participants.
- Presenters:
- Peter Mihalick, Senior Director of Government Affairs | Organic Trade Association
- Laura Holm, Legislative and Farm Policy Associate | Organic Trade Association
You can access the presentation slides here and view the recorded training below.