RISE (Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment), a national trade association representing manufacturers, formulators, distributors and other industry leaders in the specialty pesticide and fertilizer industry, hosted its final Industry Issues Update of 2024 during the Elevate Expo. At the event, RISE leadership and National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) partners underscored the essential role of grassroots engagement in shaping policy.
The event featured an interactive panel with live Q&A, allowing attendees to connect directly with experts Gil Grattan, VirginiaGreen; Andrew Ziehler, Ziehler Lawncare; and Daniel Papineau, TruGreen, on advocacy strategies and industry priorities.
RISE president Megan Provost welcomed more than 45 breakfast attendees to discuss the importance of advocacy efforts at every level, which was especially timely due to the presidential election.
“Grassroots engagement and relationship building are the foundation for ejective advocacy,” Provost said. “It’s through open dialogue that we create real, lasting impact.”
Ziehler echoed Provost’s sentiment, highlighting the value of a proactive approach.
“Someone is going to tell your story — do you want that to be you, or someone else?” said Zeihler. “It’s on us to communicate our impact and clarify our goals so that policymakers understand the challenges and contributions of our industry.”
Grattan also encouraged the audience to make advocacy relatable, adding, “Providing context is critical. It’s not enough to state the facts; we need to show the on-the-ground impacts of policy decisions and make our message accessible to policymakers.”
According to the association, RISE remains dedicated to fostering interactive discussions around specialty pesticides to positively shape perception and policy, and to equip industry professionals with the tools they need for ejective advocacy.
“Active participation in advocacy keeps you informed and lets legislators hear your voice directly,” Papineau said. “Advocacy isn’t reserved for a few; it’s something every one of us can do.”
