Scott Kitayama, president of Greenleaf Wholesale Florist, first suggested showing off the Kitayama farm to Rep. Farr, a floral-friendly congressman, after SAF encouraged its members to reach out to their local lawmakers. Farr, a fifth generation Californian serving his eighth term in Washington, sits on the House Appropriations Committee and the Agriculture subcommittee, which makes all funding decisions for USDA.

The Kitayama family started the visit by taking Farr and his legislative aide on a tour of two greenhouses. "One thing that made this event was that Sam Farr was very easy going," Stuart Kitayama explained. "He pulled up in his pickup truck, ready to take the tour."

Head grower, Jimmy Zheng, conducted the tour of the rose and gerbera greenhouses. Kitayama says Farr asked very technical questions about the plants and production processes during the tour.

The Kitayamas turned a packing warehouse into an inviting and welcoming area for the reception, where the 40 guests could mingle and speak one-on-one with Rep. Farr over a glass of wine and hors d'oeuvres. Guests also were treated to a brief presentation by Rep. Farr, during which he touched on some of the most pressing issues on Capitol Hill affecting growers including immigration reform and the Farm Bill.

"Rep. Farr has been a friend of the floral industry for many years," said Lin Schmale, SAF senior director of government relations, who was at the event. "It was exciting and gratifying to be part of the interaction in California as he met with old and new friends at the Kitayama farm and understood how much the floral industry supports him."

Farr was influential in founding the California Cut Flower Commission and has been a lead supporter of the SAF Floriculture and Nursery Research Initiative, which is currently providing $6.25 million a year in research funding specifically for projects targeted to floriculture and nursery research.

Hosting a tour of your business is one of the best ways to develop or strengthen your relationship with your lawmakers, says Schmale. "They will remember you and appreciate real face-time with constituents. It also provides them a chance to learn more about your business and the floral industry in their district or state," she says. Although putting together a tour and fundraiser may seem overwhelming, Kitayama says SAF's Government Relations team offers a lot of assistance.
 
"My advice to others is that this is not as difficult to do as it might first seem and SAF will help you," he says.

Hosting an event/fundraiser for your representative or senator helps SAF be more effective in Washington.  "When SAF staff is backed up by politically active members, our voice is louder and stronger," said Jeanne Ramsay, SAF senior director of government relations.

It helps the businesses hosting the events, too. "I think we feel more comfortable that if we need something, we could pick up the phone and call," Kitayama said.

SAF members interested in hosting a political fundraiser or tour of their facilities can contact Brian Freedman, bfreedman@safnow.org.

--Morgan Schimminger
mschimminger@safnow.org

  

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