Government Relations & Lobbying
Tell your story, influence the process, and reap the benefits.
Client Stress
Fighting for a Voice Where It Matters.
An agriculture
membership-based organization came to WSS with the
challenge of establishing and amplifying a cohesive and influential voice for
cattle producers on a national and global level. They faced difficulties in
connecting thousands of cattle producers with Congress and Federal agencies, as
well as the need to address critical industry issues such as beef labeling,
animal ID systems, and corporate meat packers' oversight.
Our Strategy
Turning Grassroots Power Into Congressional Action.
WSS developed a
comprehensive, hands-on strategy that involved organizing nearly two decades of
fly-ins with hundreds of cattle producers to Washington, DC. We ensured that
these producers could relay their priority issues directly to lawmakers and
agencies. Additionally, WSS provided continuous support to the organization,
enabling them to testify at every Senate Agriculture Committee hearing from
2015 through 2022. Our strategy was centered around persistent engagement,
legislative testimony, and effective communication, ensuring that the
producers’ voices were heard and acted upon.
The Successful Outcome.
From Advocacy to Real-World Wins.
Through our
collaboration, the agriculture membership-based organization achieved
significant policy advancements, including improvements to the Beef Checkoff
program, enhancement of beef labeling standards, prevention of privatized
animal ID systems, and exposure of misleading practices in alternative
proteins. Moreover, our efforts resulted in amendments to the Packers and
Stockyards Act, enhancements to the Livestock Mandatory Reporting Act,
increased meat packing capacity, better oversight of corporate meat packers,
and additional funds and support for production and conservation programs. With
these successes, Western Skies Strategies has reinforced its role as a pivotal
ally in the advocacy landscape, prepared to continue driving forward meaningful
policy changes for its clients-- and more importantly, from the direct stakeholders that policy impacts.
