Connecting Growers With Industry Partners and Policymakers

Half of the group meets with the House Ag Committee. During the trip, members divide and conquer, meeting with state representatives and other policymakers; sometimes schedules conflict and not everyone can meet at the same time.

May 28, 2026

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By René Hardwick, Director of Public and Industry Relations, National Onion Association

In agriculture, we all know relationships matter. But for onion growers, the right connections can make a difference far beyond the field. The National Onion Association gives growers opportunities to connect with suppliers, researchers and industry peers, while also serving as a direct link to policymakers in Washington, D.C., whose decisions influence farms across the country.

Representing growers in Washington is a responsibility the NOA takes seriously. Federal policies involving water access, labor, trade and food safety have both immediate and long-term impacts on onion production. The association works throughout the year to ensure lawmakers and federal agencies understand the realities of growing onions and the challenges facing American producers.

Jarom Jemmett of J&S Farms, Trent Weber of Weber Family Farms, Patrick Boot of NNZ,  Kimi Maag of Jamieson Produce, Ray Burzota of Central Produce Distributing, Stephen Parrot of Fort Boise Produce, Bruce Klamer of V&W Farms, Shane Curry of the Vidalia Onion Committee, Colby Cantwell of Fagerberg Produce, Corey Coles of Brock & Phil Obendorf Farms, Will Beckwith of Beckwith Produce, Max Torrey of Torrey Farms and Big O Produce, and Greg Yielding of the National Onion Association pose for a photo. Not pictured: Tyler and Brette Wagstaff of Central Produce Distributing, Cody Anderson of L&L Ag Production, Jason Cleaver of Columbia Basin Onion, Delbert Gehrke of AgriNorthwest, Eduardo Gutierrez-Rodriguez of Colorado State University, Bruce Jacobs of Teleos Ag Solutions, Joe Petrocco of Petrocco Farms, and Barry Vculek of Four Star Ag and NOA president

Recently, the NOA brought 21 members of the onion industry to Washington, D.C., for a series of meetings with congressional offices, administration officials and agricultural policy leaders. During these discussions, growers addressed several issues affecting the industry, including strengthening food safety systems, shaping the next Farm Bill, addressing international trade challenges and promoting fair market conditions for U.S. onion producers. These meetings allow growers to share firsthand experiences from their farms and reinforce the importance of policies that support domestic agriculture.

As with every trip to Washington, the group included both experienced advocates and first-time participants interested in learning how growers can help shape policy that affects their livelihoods. This year’s first-time attendees included Trent Weber of Weber Family Farms in Idaho and Will Beckwith of Beckwith Produce in Texas.

For Weber, the trip offered a chance to see how industry advocacy works in practice.

“I felt like it was a good opportunity to see the NOA at work,” Weber said. “Doing something is better than doing nothing. Just getting out there and expressing the concerns that we have as an industry is beneficial. I felt like there was a clear, unified message that everyone supported, and that was important. Would I go again? Yes.”

Jarom Jemmett (center) makes a point with White House staffer Jason Becker (left) while Colby Cantwell (right) looks on.

Annual advocacy visits like this help ensure the onion industry remains visible and engaged in national policy discussions. They also strengthen relationships between growers and their elected representatives, making it easier for policymakers to understand how legislation and regulations affect farming communities. By maintaining a consistent presence in Washington, the NOA works to protect the interests of American onion growers and support policies that allow farms to remain productive for future generations.

Alongside its advocacy efforts, the NOA also serves as a hub for knowledge and collaboration within the industry. Through conventions, meetings and member engagement, growers gain access to new research, emerging technology and practical insights that can improve operations in the field.

For onion growers, membership in the NOA represents more than participation in an organization. It offers access to industry expertise, stronger connections with partners and policymakers, and a unified voice on the issues that matter most. By focusing on networking, research and advocacy, the National Onion Association helps growers address today’s challenges while supporting the long-term strength of the American onion industry.

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