Achieving success on Capitol Hill requires patience and an appreciation of small victories.  After that, you need more patience. That’s just about the way it goes in any effort where politics play a major role.

And it’s no wonder, when so many people describe politics as “the art of the possible.” Working on something that’s just “possible” literally screams a need for patience.

The California Cut Flower Commission (CCFC) has a victory to be proud of, yet ultimate success will require much more patience. Last week, language was added to the Agriculture Appropriations bill that urges the USDA secretary to use existing resources to help the domestic flower growing industry develop a better distribution system to compete more effectively. Congratulations to CCFC because it took a great deal of lobbying to get that far.

Granted, “urging” the Secretary to take action is not the same as “directing” the Secretary to take action.  But it’s a steppingstone to the next level, and for that reason the language is significant.

More than 20 years ago, SAF experienced the same thrill of a seemingly small but, in reality, monumental victory when the floral industry was recognized, also in an Agriculture Appropriations Bill, as being an important part of the U.S. agriculture industry. This, combined with many subsequent years of lobbying, was the steppingstone to today’s $6.25 million Floral and Nursery Research Initiative.

That effort required patience and a compelling story to tell – two things CCFC will need as it moves forward.

Comments

AndieD

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Everyone always wants something unusual in my life! Flowers - are very fond of women, and, basically, they look after them. That's one of the floral art buying research papers, created by a woman.

Thursday 18 March 2010, 04:52

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