State Coalition Workshop Added to Stakeholders Summit

Building a Successful State Agriculture Coalition”

 

ARLINGTON, VA –The Animal Agriculture Alliance will hold a special workshop focused on “Building A Successful State Agriculture Coalition” scheduled directly after its eighth industry-wide Stakeholders Summit. The half day workshop will be held the afternoon of May 13 at the Hotel Monaco in Alexandria,Virginia. The workshop will address two major topics: the successes and challenges of building a strong state coalition and a case study of a state coalition’s past and future efforts. Additional topics to be addressed at the workshop include:

  • Defining a Coalition’s Purpose and Mission;
  • Determining Appropriate Membership;
  • Establishing a Successful Structure;
  • Employing Strategies and Tactics; and
  • Networking with Other State and National Groups.

Aaron Putze, Executive Director of Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF), will discuss the keys to developing, implementing and maintaining an effective livestock coalition. Putze will provide insight into the building blocks of a successful, results-oriented initiative (i.e. doing research, developing a strategy and
being focused) and obtaining results by addressing critical issues (like helping farmers do things right) and then communicating the results of those efforts with key stakeholders and constituents. Putze will also discuss four action items for farmers and ranchers to follow that will allow them to be successful, build their
businesses and maintain the social license they need to remain active on the land and in their communities. Finally, he will highlight how successful coalitions benefit existing farm and commodity organizations in their work on behalf of farmers and rural communities.

David White, Senior Director for Policy Development and Research at the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation and former Executive Director of the Ohio Livestock Coalition, will discuss specific initiatives that the coalition has carried out to help agriculture’s ability to contribute to the state of Ohio. White will discuss
the need for quality strategic planning and governance in building effective coalitions. Further, he will focus on building consensus so groups can work towards agreement and action.

“Many state groups are examining how to create coalitions but are unsure about how to start, who should participate and how to build a strong alliance that is viable and sustainable,” says Kay Johnson Smith, Executive Vice President of the Animal Agriculture Alliance. “Our goal with this workshop is to provide state groups examples of some model state programs that know what works and what doesn’t. Strong grassroots efforts are key to the future of agriculture and this workshop is designed to provide strategic tools to strengthen those efforts.”

The workshop will directly follow the program of the eighth annual Stakeholders Summit. Cost for attending this can’t miss event is a mere $50. Current registration information for the Summit and workshop, along with hotel information is available on the Alliance website at www.animalagalliance.org, or the
registration form can be faxed to (703) 524-1921.

All registrations must be submitted in advance. For additional information regarding the workshop or the Summit, contact the Animal Agriculture Alliance at (703) 562-5160 or summit@animalagalliance.org.

About the Alliance:
The Animal Agriculture Alliance is an industry-united, nonprofit organization that helps bridge the communication gap between farm and fork. We connect key food industry stakeholders to arm them with responses to emerging issues. We engage food chain influencers and promote consumer choice by helping them better understand modern animal agriculture. We protect by exposing those who threaten our nation’s food security with damaging misinformation. Find the Alliance on Facebook and Twitter.

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