Capitol Visit.

The United Fresh Washington Conference recently ended, and I am so bummed to miss it. Last year was my first year attending with Class 24, and it was an awesome experience. I had been to Sacramento to speak to our legislators before but never to DC.

My first trip to DC was in 8th grade, and it was a terrible experience for reasons I won’t get into now. But also, I just did not appreciate the history and magnitude of what I was witnessing and experiencing.

As a Mass Communication and Media Studies major, one of my favorite parts of visiting DC was the side stop I made to visit the Newseum. There were so many moving galleries, like the 9/11 gallery that exhibits newspaper headlines from across the world (photo right).

Of course, another of my favorites was “First Dogs: American Presidents and Their Pets”. Because, well, dogs. Need I say more?

But if I had to name just one favorite, it would be the Pulitzer Prize Photographs. On the wall as you exit, you see a quote by Eddie Adams:

If it makes you laugh, if it makes you cry, if it rips your heart, that’s a good picture.

The photos in this gallery were so moving that I’m pretty sure I cried half my way through it. I’ve always enjoyed photography, but I have never been able to capture moments like the professionals. It amazes me how some images, even in their simplicity, can be so powerfully touching. One that comes to mind as an example is The Falling Man.

My inner journalist continued to geek out when we had dinner at the National Press Club and listened to Bob Woodward speak. (If you don’t know either of those things, then we can’t be friends.)

I admire journalists of the past, who actually reported non-biased information and delivered facts. When your biases are so deeply engrained in your values and morals, it’s very hard to report objectively. (Also, don’t even get me started on journalism today. Oy vey.)

But the main reason for visiting DC was to advocate for agriculture among our legislators – something I thoroughly enjoy doing. It’s when hundreds of produce leaders converge on Capitol Hill to address some of the industry’s most pressing matters.

My first time advocating for our industry was during the Legislative Visits Statewide Meeting for California Women for Agriculture in Sacramento. My eyes were opened to the many lobbyists who are daily in the ears of our leaders urging them to vote for harmful ag bills. Our leaders need to hear it straight from the producers. There’s a lot more passion in persuasion when you are directly affected by what’s on the table. (Just ask Jordan Cunningham. 😂)