American Sugarbeet Growers Association | Annual Meeting 2018
The 2018 American Sugarbeet Growers Association (ASGA) Annual Meeting took place in Washington, DC on February 4-6. The session was appropriately titled, “Defending, Administering, and Passing the U.S. Sugar policy.” With over 400 people in attendance, the conference participants included board members of local sugarbeet grower associations, growers, and industry representatives. With Farm Bill negotiations in Congress moving forward and the Commerce Department working on NAFTA renegotiation, Washington DC was the perfect place to hold the annual meeting this year.
ASGA 2018 Annual Meeting took place in Washington, DC
Keynote speaker for the meetings was Zippy Duvall, American Farm Bureau Federation President. Mr. Duvall gave an encouraging speech on the progress of the farm bill and the need to stay unified while working on the bill. Other presentations discussed trade negotiations and enforcing the U.S.-Mexico Sugar agreements.
Speakers also included members from both political parties. They presented information about the Farm Bill and NAFTA. After addressing their optimism and concerns, they opened the floor for questions from the audience. Information discussed was beneficial to understand Farm Bill obstacles and timeline for passage.
The 2018 annual meeting was a great experience for Germains sugarbeet representatives to attend. The event gave Germains representatives the opportunity to meet with sugarbeet growers, industry representatives and members of Congress to discuss important matters that are impacting the industry. The Farm Bill and NAFTA trade negotiations are expected to conclude this year which will ensure the success of the sugarbeet industry moving forward.
About the American Sugarbeet Growers Association
The American Sugarbeet Growers Association represents approximately 10,000 growers in all 11 producing states (California, Colorado, Idaho, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming). The purpose of the organization is to unite sugarbeet growers in the United States and promote the common interest of state and regional beet growers associations, which include legislative and international representation and public relations.