The AAW Executive Committee and Fly In Committee
2023 AAW Fly-In to Washington, DC.
Book your stay at Embassy Suites – National Airport
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June 4 – 7, 2023
All About AAW Fly-In
Tips for Visits
Each year in June, American Agri-Women hosts a Legislative Fly-In for those interested to speak to their legislators, agencies, and other professionals in Washington D.C. about current agricultural issues and policies while relying upon your own opinions as well as the AAW Position Statements. We also explore the city and its major historical sites.
AAW arranges for a “Fly-In to Washington, DC” event for members of American Agri-Women. Registration covers meeting expenses, supplies and incidentals. Women from all over the country gather in Washington, DC to host a Symposium on a hot issue, meet with high level agriculture related agencies, such as USDA, EPA, DOI, and sometimes even the White House. We also meet with members of congress or “make the rounds” and discuss priority AAW issues and for some, home state issues.
In addition, we visit an International Embassy (previous visits include the Embassy of Japan, Portugal, and the Republic of Korea) and are sometimes offered snacks, a glimpse of their culture and an overview of that country’s agriculture connection to the United States. Bring your passport, because sometimes the host country will stamp it!
During our orientation and briefing we have leaders within the industry, such as Cattlemen’s Association, American Farm Bureau, Agriculture Coalition on Immigration Reform, etc. visit with us about hot button issues.
Prior to your travel, you will receive a Fly-In Tentative Itinerary, as well as, a copy of the Invitation to the Congressional Reception.
UNITED VOICE ON KEY ISSUES: The AAW Fly-In is intended to bring members from around the country to Washington, DC to engage with agriculturally related government agencies, as well as, deliver a united voice on the AAW priority issues of the time.
AAW offers an orientation prior to the Fly-In activities to provide a forum for participants to meet each other, familiarize them with others’ state’s issues and to offer participants an overview of the AAW priority issues. While affiliate members can include their priority issues when visiting congressional members, if they have time, affiliates are encouraged to visit their congressional members on your specific issues when they are in your home town office.
Every member attending the Fly-In is doing so at their own time, as a volunteer and at their own expense, which can be rather costly for some. As such, participants are not required to visit specific members of congress. The purpose of the trip is to have dialog with as many members of Congress as possible about the AAW issues. It is much appreciated if participants would take the time to help make the rounds so that AAW visibility can be as high as possible during our afternoon at the US Capitol. Each congressional office would have already received a copy of the AAW priority issues so a brief drop-in to deliver a reminder of the Congressional Reception to as many offices as possible is appreciated. No appointment needed.
Participants can, if they like, make appointments to visit any member of congress and refer to the AAW packet of information that was sent to them previously, as well as, share priority issues of their affiliate, if they desire. Members are strongly encouraged to make appointments prior to their visit.