NAICC News April/May 2026

Tis The Season to Spring into Action!

By Laurie Bennett

The NAICC Executive Board gathered in the historic community of McKinney, TX, for its annual spring board meeting. Day one was held in the beautiful, 200‑year‑old Grand Hotel meeting room, followed by day two at the Collin County History Museum, graciously hosted by James Todd’s uncle, Don Parker.

I would like to extend a special thank‑you to James for discovering this gem of a location for the 2026 spring board meeting. This face‑to‑face format provided the Board with valuable opportunities to discuss the key focal points outlined below:

Annual Meeting Evaluation – The Board reviewed the evaluation summary from the Orlando meeting, reflected on attendee feedback, and assessed how well the event aligned with the goals and mission of the Annual Meeting. The Executive Board and staff will continue to refine the format and ensure the mission of future Annual Meetings remains strong and relevant.

Financial Update - Treasurer Kim Bourgeis and Allison Jones provided an overview of Annual Meeting budget and reported that even with lower attendance the meeting was still a success educationally and financially. The report also highlighted strong investment income, the overall financial standing and long‑term financial goals of NAICC.

NAICC Priorities – The Board set their priorities for the organization. The 2026 priorities are: Membership recruitment and retention, continued focus on Governmental Affairs and Certification as well as strengthen marketing/communications to members and potential members.

Newsletter/Marketing Committee Change - With the goal of strong communication in mind, the NAICC Board recommended combining the Marketing Committee and the Newsletter Committee. It is evident that the duties of the two committees overlap regarding tasks and goals. With combination, the number of committee members will increase and will allow for stronger concentration of shared goals. An initial task of the new committee will be to focus on the best schedule and format for the newsletter, increased Social Media presents and other communications goals. It is recommended that the full newsletter is published quarterly with pertinent and time sensitive monthly email blast. Going forward, members will receive the NAICC News during the second month of each quarter starting with the third quarter. This newsletter serves as your second quarter newsletter. Email blasts will be sent with urgent information as needed.

Government Affairs Committee Update - James Todd and Allison Jones briefed the Board on the Government Affairs Committee’s recent visit to Washington, DC and reviewed the key priorities and focused agenda of the committee. Priorities will remain focused on the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the new Farm Bill and passage of PRIA 6 which focus on funds going to the GLP program and hiring at least one new EPA inspector.

NAICC Farm Visit – The Government Affairs 2026 farm tour will feature agriculture in South Dakota and Minnesota continuing to spotlight the ESA. The tour will showcase sugar beets, chopping corn silage and cattle operations. The dates are September 14-17 starting and ending in Sioux Fall, SD.

Committee Reports – Each of the numerous NAICC Committee reports were presented by the Board liaison. Discussion and focal items were presented to the Board. The Board thanks all members for their committee involvement and continued support to NAICC.

NAICC Board Meeting Schedule – The Executive Board will continue to meet both in person and virtually. The in-person meetings are held at the Annual Meeting, in the spring and in the fall. The next in-person meeting will be in Chattanooga, TN, November 11-13, 2026. Virtual meetings will continue to be held during the off months via Zoom.

By Keith Jones

April 2026

The war with Iran continues to dominate the daily news cycle, and by extension the Hill due to its impact on mid-term voting. The confused, open, not open, status of the Strait of Hormuz, notwithstanding the U.S. Navy embargo, has respected foreign policy experts wondering if Iran may have found a more durable way to leverage its most famous geography. Respected ag policy experts also say the impacts of a closed Strait on U.S. agriculture may be only beginning.

Regardless of the future, the war’s reality on the present was revealed last week by the American Farm Bureau’s eyepopping survey showing that 70% of U.S. farmers cannot afford all the fertilizer needed for the season due to soaring prices caused by supply disruptions resulting from the Middle East conflict.

In response Ag Sec Rollins said during the April 16^th House Ag appropriations subcommittee hearing the Administration planned to dip into dollars from tariffs and trade deal renegotiations to strengthen domestic fertilizer supplies but admitted that these efforts would require 12 to 18 months to come online doing little to ease farmer pessimism in the near term.

House Republicans are targeting late April for a floor vote on the farm bill 2.0. Their leadership is whipping votes and expecting amendments to strike several provisions including Section 10205 on pesticide labeling uniformity. While this decision is seen as positive, especially after Friday’s Farm Credit Council led coalition letter of 330 farm groups urging House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., to take up the bill. Skepticism abounds though as to whether the votes to move the bill across the House floor exist.

Finally, as many of you may recall, the Supreme Court is scheduled to engage oral arguments in Monsanto V. Durnell which takes up the issue of whether the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act preempt a label-based failure-to-warn claim where EPA has not required the warning. The chemistry at the center of the case is glyphosate. As expected, the MAHA crowd is promising a big turnout with Vani Hari, an ally of HHS Sec Kennedy and known by her online moniker “Food Babe” saying more than 1,000 people have RSVP’d for her April 27 rally.

A big turnout at the “The People vs. Poison” protest would put the White House in a very awkward position going into the midterms given its decisions to back Monsanto/Bayer in the case. Given the well-done briefs in the case, the outcome may not be as cut and dried as many suspect. 

By Allison Jones

NAICC is proud to list the following state associations as members of NAICC. State affiliates enjoy a variety of valuable benefits, including a network of other ag professionals  nationwide. NAICC members know that there is someone within the membership in their area, state or even across the country that has encountered problems similar to those you are facing.

NAICC members benefit from advocacy support at both the state and federal levels. This is accomplished by having a seat on the NAICC Governmental Affairs Consultants Subcommittee, which facilitates two-way communication about state-level political issues that may impact neighboring states. Representatives also keep their state members informed of NAICC’s activities in Washington, DC, ensuring everyone stays up to date on important legislative matters.

Educational opportunities are available to all members, including sessions at the NAICC Annual Meeting & AG PRO EXPO, regional workshops, and webinars hosted on NAICC Academy. State Affiliate members receive a fifty percent discount on registration fees for their representative at these events, making participation even more accessible.

These benefits help associations remain connected, informed, and actively engaged with the broader agricultural community. If your state association is not currently listed among NAICC members, you are invited to join. Membership dues are $10 per voting member of the state association, with a maximum cap of $500.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to strengthen your association’s voice and stay informed on key crop and research consulting topics and legislative issues. Join NAICC today and become part of a nationwide network dedicated to advancing our industry. Contact Allison Jones at allisonjones@naicc.org for more information.

Agricultural Consultants of North Dakota
Arkansas Agricultural Consultants Association
Georgia Association of Professional Ag Consultants
High Plains Association of Crop Consultants
Independent Agricultural Consultants of Colorado
Iowa Independent Crop Consultants Association
Kansas Association of Independent Crop Consultants
Louisiana Agricultural Consultants Association
Nebraska Independent Crop Consultants Association
North Carolina Agricultural Consultants Association
South Dakota Independent Crop Consultants Association
Texas Association of Agricultural Consultants
Wisconsin Association of Professional Agricultural Consultants

SPOTLIGHT ON SUSTAINING MEMBER: KYNETEC

By Heather McCarty

Your Expertise Shapes the Future of Agriculture: Why FarmTrak Matters

If crop consultants don’t help tell agriculture’s story, others will tell it for us.

NAICC members are on the front lines of modern farming, seeing firsthand how growers manage risk, adopt new technology, and make input decisions under real economic and agronomic pressure. That perspective is too important to sit on the sidelines.

That’s why participation in FarmTrak matters.

For nearly 40 years, FarmTrak has been one of the agricultural industry’s most trusted sources of market intelligence. Originally developed by Doane Marketing Research and now led by Kynetec, the study has grown alongside modern agriculture—expanding its scope, refining its methods, and responding to emerging issues while remaining grounded in one simple mission: accurately reflecting what is happening in the field.

Today, FarmTrak collects detailed, annual information on seed varieties and crop protection product usage across over 60 row and specialty crops in 42 states. With participation from over 5,500 farmers and crop consultants and more than 25,000 crop surveys conducted each year, it is one of the most robust and credible datasets in U.S. agriculture leveraged by manufacturers, researchers, and policymakers.

FarmTrak isn’t just data, it’s a counterweight.
In Washington, DC, a growing number of well‑funded groups aggressively lobby against farming practices and agricultural inputs. FarmTrak helps balance that pressure by grounding decisions in unbiased, real‑world agronomic evidence. When consultants participate, they ensure that conversations about agriculture are informed by what actually happens in fields—not by ideology or assumption.

As a renewed member of NAICC, Kynetec is proud to partner with crop consultants who share a commitment to advancing agriculture through accurate, unbiased insight. At a time when the industry faces increasing complexity—from resistance management to economic pressure to rapid technological change—consultant perspectives are more valuable than ever. Your experience bridges the gap between manufacturers and the field, and FarmTrak makes that bridge visible.

When NAICC members participate, their insights help shape how seed and crop protection products are developed, priced, and improved. FarmTrak data informs research and development priorities, guides supply chain decisions and provides critical context around farm economics—helping ensure that future innovations reflect real agronomic needs rather than assumptions. By contributing your perspective, you help the industry better understand how growers prioritize inputs and manage risk, ultimately supporting more competitive and practical solutions for agriculture.

Participation also comes with trust and confidentiality. Kynetec places the highest priority on panelist privacy. All responses are fully anonymized, allowing you to contribute openly and confidently, knowing your information is protected.

The seed portion of FarmTrak opens in late May, followed by crop protection in June, and signup is open now.
If you believe agriculture decisions should be shaped by facts, experience, and field‑level reality, this is one of the most direct ways to make that happen.

To participate or learn more, contact Heather McCarty at Heather.McCarty@kynetec.com.

Your voice carries influence. FarmTrak makes sure it’s heard.

TAKE YOUR PROFESSIONALISM ONE STEP FURTHER

NAICC offers its members valuable opportunities to advance their professional credentials through the Certified Professional Crop Consultant (CPCC) program. Earning certification from NAICC not only strengthens your credibility and demonstrates your expertise but also provides new avenues for career growth in the agricultural consulting industry.

The CPCC program is recognized by the EPA, USDA, and other federal agencies when recommending experts for federal and state initiatives. CPCC certified professionals are listed in programs such as the Worker Protection Standard, Endangered Species Act strategy documents, and can serve as Technical Service Providers. Additionally, CPCC-certified individuals are regarded as “agricultural experts” by USDA’s Risk Management Agency, which enables them to provide Good Farming Practice (GFP) recommendations for documenting growers’ Federal Crop Insurance Claims.

For details on certification requirements, scan the QR Code below or visit the NAICC website at https://naicc.org/about-us/cpcc-certification/. 

NAICC Academy is dedicated to empowering our members for the agriculture of tomorrow—helping ensure a strong, sustainable future for our industry. As the hub for NAICC’s webinars, online training, and educational sessions, the Academy provides year-round professional development tailored specifically for our members, their employees, and industry partners.

Visit our website to explore available webinars and start learning today.

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