Washington Update: What to Expect from the New Biden Administration and the 117th Congress

January marks the beginning of the Biden / Harris Administration as well as a brand new Congress. The shift from President Trump to President Biden will certainly bring about new challenges and opportunities for American Agriculture. In addition, the outcome of the November elections narrowed the political margins in both the House and the Senate, and created one of the largest congressional freshman classes in recent history. This workshop will feature the AFBF Public Policy and Political Affairs team to break down the current political landscape.

Moderator:

Ryan y
Ryan Yates, Director, Congressional Relations, AFBF

Ryan Yates is the Managing Director for Public Policy at the American Farm Bureau Federation. In this role, Yates manages the AFBF Public Policy department in the preparation and execution of strategies to implement Farm Bureau legislative and regulatory policy priorities.

Yates previously served as Director of Congressional Relations at AFBF where he advocated on behalf of American farmers and ranchers on policy issues including federal lands management, the Endangered Species Act, and protection of private property rights. He has 17 years of experience in natural resource and land use issues in Washington, D. C. having served on the staff of the U.S House of Representatives Committee on Resources, as well as lobbying for the National Association of Counties and National Association of Conservation Districts.

Yates is a 2003 graduate of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, obtaining a degree in Agricultural Business with a minor in Economics.

Speakers:

Michael Sistak
Mike Sistak, Director, Grassroots Program Development, AFBF

Michael “Mike” Sistak joined the American Farm Bureau Federation in April 2019 as the Director of Grassroots Program Development. He supports AFBF advocacy initiatives, including campaign management schools, election analysis, digital engagement, trainings and consultations with state Farm Bureaus; and oversees grasstops programming.

Mike came to AFBF from his hometown of Phoenix, Arizona, where he worked in senior government relations roles with The University of Arizona (UA) and the Arizona Early Childhood Development and Health Board. At both positions he lobbied at the state and federal levels; and developed and led grassroots advocacy programs. His “AdvoCats” program at UA was recognized by the Arizona Capitol Times as a Top Grassroots Campaign during the 2016 state legislative session.

He has worked on several political campaigns, including John McCain’s 2010 Senate re-election, and Mitt Romney’s 2012 run for the White House. He additionally worked on Senator McCain’s staff at the Senate Armed Services Committee.

He graduated from The University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Master of Arts in International Security Studies.

Mike and his wife Maddy reside in Virginia.

Randy d
Randy Dwyer, Director, Grassroots Program Development, AFBF

Randy Dwyer serves as Director, Grassroots Program Development for the American Farm Bureau Federation. In this capacity, Randy works with state Farm Bureaus and grassroots advocates across the country to bring their collective voice to legislators at all levels of government.

Previously, Randy served for nearly 16 years with the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, where he was responsible for building their national grassroots network and political advocacy programs.

He’s also held Government Relations positions for the American College of Emergency Physicians and the National Association of Home Builders.

Randy hails from a small town in New York State, was a 4-H member and earned his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Le Moyne College in Syracuse, New York.

Don p
Don Parrish, Senior Director, Regulatory Relations, AFBF

Don Parrish is the Senior Director, Regulatory Relations, for the American Farm Bureau Federation's Public Policy team in Washington, D.C.

His primary area of responsibility at the American Farm Bureau is the Clean Water Act, which encompasses a wide range of issues affecting farmers and ranchers. These include Federal authority over waters of the U.S., wetlands, concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), water quality standards, and conservation issues related to the farm bill. Don supports state Farm Bureaus in their legislative and regulatory efforts and works with numerous agricultural organizations, as well as a diverse group of industry and trade associations in Washington DC.

His expertise on these issues has placed him in leadership roles. He currently chairs the Waters Advocacy Coalition (WAC), whose purpose is to prevent the expansion of the regulatory definition of “waters of the United States.” The WAC is made up of diverse organizations representing virtually every aspect of the nation’s economy. Don also chairs the Agricultural Nutrient Policy council. ANPC is made up of agricultural organizations that want to strengthen their ability to work effectively on nutrient related policy and regulatory issues important to the agricultural community.

Before joining the AFBF staff, Don was an economist at Auburn University. Prior to his working at Auburn, he was employed by the Farm Credit System as a Research Analyst.

Don received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agronomy from Auburn University and a Master of Science Degree in Agricultural Economics from Auburn University.

Originally from a diversified crop and livestock farm in Alabama, Don now resides in the Washington, D.C. area with his wife, Dee Dee. They have grown children - a daughter Leslie Anne who lives and works in Atlanta, Georgia and a son Austin that lives and works in Dallas, Texas.

David s
Dave Salmonsen, Senior Director, Congressional Relations, AFBF

David Salmonsen is currently senior director of governmental relations with the American Farm Bureau Federation office in Washington, D.C. As a member of the Public Policy Team his responsibilities include trade negotiations along with being the principal Washington contact for several Northeastern state Farm Bureaus.

Prior to joining the American Farm Bureau in 1996 he was Assistant to the Commissioner of the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. He was also Senior Director of Governmental Relations with the New York Farm Bureau.

David grew up on a dairy and vegetable farm in Manlius, N.Y. He graduated from the University at Albany and from the Washington College of Law. He is a member of the American Agricultural Law Association and is admitted to the bar in New York. He serves as the American Farm Bureau liaison to the Advisory Council on Trade Policy and Negotiations and is a member of the Agricultural Policy Advisory Council . He was a member of the Advisory Committee for the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy at the University at Albany. He is a graduate of Class V of the LEAD-NY program.

Pat Wolff 4x5
Pat Wolff, Senior Director, Congressional Relations, AFBF

Pat Wolff serves as an American Farm Bureau Federation lobbyist and is the organization’s tax specialist. She also follows Affordable Care Act issues.

With over six million member families, AFBF is the nation’s largest general farming organization, representing farmers and ranchers. The organization’s current tax priorities include comprehensive tax reform, effective tax rates, estate taxes, capital gains taxes and cost recovery.

Prior to joining AFBF, Pat lobbied for the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau and administered PFB’s political action committee. She started her Farm Bureau career as an organization director for the Ohio Farm Bureau.

Pat holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, both from Penn State University. She is recognized as a Certified Association Executive by the American Society of Association Executives and as a Distinguished Toastmaster by Toastmasters International.

Pat lives in Rockville, Md., with her husband, Howard Jung, and has two adult children.

Andrew w
Andrew Walmsley, Director, Congressional Relations, AFBF

Andrew Walmsley joined the American Farm Bureau Federation in 2011 as Director, Congressional Relations. In addition to leading the farm policy team, Andrew is charged with managing energy, climate, transportation, and biotechnology issues for Farm Bureau.

His work has included regulatory relief for farmers and ranchers along with securing Farm Bureau priorities in multiple pieces of legislation that were eventually enacted into law. Because of this work, he has been named a ‘Top Lobbyist’ by The Hill.

Andrew has held multiple leadership roles around Washington D.C. He currently chairs the Farmers for a Sustainable Future Coalition, has served as chairman of the Agricultural Biotech Alliance, as a steering committee member of the Coalition for Safe and Affordable Food, the Rail Customer Coalition and as an advisor to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on their Energy, Clean Air & Natural Resources Committee.

Prior to joining the American Farm Bureau Federation, he worked for the Florida Farm Bureau Federation managing energy, environmental, and commodity-specific issues.

Andrew is a sixth-generation Floridian and graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agricultural Operations Management. He currently resides in Fredericksburg, Virginia with his wife, Katherine and their three children, Madison, Davis and Reagan Monroe.

Allison C
Allison Crittenden, Director, Congressional Relations, AFBF

Allison Crittenden serves as the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Director of Congressional Relations. Her issue portfolio encompasses farm labor and specialty crops. Allison’s work focuses on specific issues such as immigration, pesticides, and food safety.

Allison came to the American Farm Bureau Federation in March 2019. Prior to her time at AFBF she was Senior Legislative Assistant for Rep. Rick Crawford where she handled his agriculture, trade, energy, natural resources, judiciary, and environmental issues. Allison worked alongside Rep. Crawford throughout the negotiations of the 2018 Farm Bill including his work as a member of the Farm Bill Conference Committee. Previously, she worked at The Russell Group, a lobbying and government relations firm that specializes in serving clients in the food and agriculture industry. Allison was raised on her family’s third generation fruit and vegetable farm in Deltaville, Virginia where they grow cantaloupes, peppers, and cucumbers to be sold commercially to grocery stores throughout the East coast.

Allison graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in Applied Economic Management (Agricultural Economics) and lives in Washington, DC.

Scott Bennett Low Res
Scott Bennett, Director Congressional Relations, AFBF

Scott Bennett serves as the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Director of Congressional Relations. His issue portfolio is comprised of livestock and related issues including GIPSA, cell-based proteins, gene-editing and Mandatory Price Reporting. Scott also manages AFBF’s efforts on hemp, child nutrition/dietary guidelines and agricultural research.

Scott has been with the American Farm Bureau Federation since October of 2018. Prior experience includes serving as Legislative Director for former House Judiciary Chairman Bob Goodlatte, where Scott guided the Chairman through policy decisions as a conferee for the 2018 Farm Bill. Before working on the Hill, Scott was an Associate at Keys Group, a D.C. based consulting and lobbying firm representing multi-national food and animal health companies. Scott was born and raised in Red House, VA on his family’s purebred Angus, Gelbvieh and Hereford cattle operation, Knoll Crest Farm.

Scott earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics from Virginia Tech, and resides in Arlington, Virginia. He serves on the Board for the Animal Agriculture Alliance, VA 4-H Foundation, and Chairman of the VA FFA Foundation Board.