My trip to Washington, DC, confirms for me that grassroots efforts—such as writing legislators and circulating anti-NAIS petitions—do make an impact. Despite the continuing support for NAIS among some legislators, and sheer ignorance of the program among others, we are clearly making progress. In the past, because they had heard only from the pro-NAIS industry and bureaucracies, even the members of the Agriculture Committee hadn’t paid much attention. After all, why devote attention to something everyone tells you is a great idea? Now, because of the grassroots outcry, NAIS is on their radar and more legislators every day are joining our side.

But it remains critical that your legislators hear from people in your district. One Senate staffer refused to return my phone calls when I tried to set up a meeting. I asked an anti-NAIS activist from that state to call the staffer; she spoke with him about NAIS, mentioned local meetings opposing it, and asked that he talk with me. He called me back within minutes. For most legislators, getting re-elected is all that matters, which means they care what you, their constituent, think.

So continue your efforts to educate people. Put out petitions or flyers at local businesses and livestock events, write letters to the editor, or organize a town hall meeting. Materials to help with your efforts are available online at www.farmandranchfreedom.org or www.libertyark.net. Call your representatives’ and senators’ offices and find out when they’ll be speaking in your community or offering other opportunities for you to express your concerns.

You may reach your legislators by calling the capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121 or toll-free 877-851-6437; or go to www.congress.org to find out who your representatives and senators are. Here are some suggestions on getting your legislators to listen:

• Don’t delay in educating your legislators. Of course, calling is important at a critical moment, such as when a measure comes up for vote, but legislators and their staffers need to understand the issue ahead of time. Educating them is also critical to getting your legislators to introduce a bill or amendment for our side, rather than introducing a bad amendment or a bill we later have to do damage control to oppose.
• When you call, start by mentioning that you are a constituent. Then ask to speak to the person who handles agricultural issues. Write down that person’s name.
• If you are transferred to voice mail, leave a short message about why you are calling, and ask them to call you back.
• If your call is not returned within a few days, call again. This time ask for the staffer by name (since you wrote it down the first time). If you act like you already know the person, you’re more likely to get through to the person rather than voice mail.
• Whenever you talk with a staffer, have a real conversation. Don’t just tell them you’re against NAIS. Ask them if they have heard of NAIS, and what they know about it. Finding out what they know will help you determine what to say next. Keep the conversation brief, but explain who you are, why you’re against NAIS, and that there are many better ways to address animal health and food safety.
• Mention that you support the two main groups opposing NAIS—Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance and Liberty Ark Coalition—and ask the staffer to talk with us to learn more about NAIS. This information not only gives them a source for more details, but lets them know who we are so they pay more attention when we contact them.
• Follow up by sending the staffer a thank you note, either by email or fax.
• Call me (toll-free 866-687-6452) or email me ( ) so I can follow up on the contacts you make. Tell me who you spoke with (both the legislator’s and the staffer’s names), and a little bit about their response. I can then provide additional information, plan strategy with the legislators who are on our side, and be more effective as your anti-NAIS lobbyist.

You can use this strategy for almost any issue you care about. Our system of government relies on an informed population to communicate with our elected representatives. It’s up to the voters—you and me—to make that education and communication happen.

Judith McGeary is an attorney in Austin, Texas, who together with her husband runs a small grass-based farm with horses, cattle, sheep, and poultry. She is executive director of the Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance, where you can get tools to help fight NAIS—from educating your neighbors to lobbying your legislators. This article appeared in Autumn 2007 issue of Rural Heritage.