Cuban Ambassador to the U.S. José Ramón Cabañas Rodriguez will address national and state-level farmer-leaders at the ASA Legislative Issues and Education Forum on Tuesday, July 9, in Washington, D.C. Ambassador Rodriguez will provide an update from the business community on the efforts, challenges and opportunities taking place in Washington, D.C. concerning U.S. trade policy with Cuba. Joining the Ambassador will be Raul Sanchez, First Secretary, Economic and Trade Affairs.

Also addressing the grower and state leaders is Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and Sebastian Bell, Executive Director, Maine Aquaculture Association. Sen. Brown will speak about agriculture-related legislative actions pending in the U.S. Senate. Bell will talk about new market opportunities for soybean producers in the aquaculture industry.

The ASA Legislative Issues and Education Forum is held in conjunction with the ASA Board Meeting in Washington, D.C. The purpose of the program is to educate emerging leaders who are interested in learning about the role of the federal government and how U.S. agriculture policy is developed.

Educating soybean farmers about current public policy protects the soybean producer’s freedom to operate. Understanding the impact of legislation and policy allows producers to proactively make farm operations and marketing decisions.

The ASA Legislative Issues and Education Forum is sponsored by Monsanto.