Council of Producers & Distributors of Agrotechnology

Terry Kippley, CPDA

September 17, 2025

The Countdown is On! The CPDA Annual Meeting is Twelve Days Away!

With twelve days to go, there’s still time to register for the CPDA annual meeting.

Please watch the following video of incoming CPDA Chairman Patrick K. Ewan of Helena encouraging broad participation in the CPDA Annual Meeting. 

Welcome New Member!

CPDA is pleased to welcome new member AgraSyst

Membership dues fund our advocacy efforts which include working with EPA on the PRIA and non-PRIA backlog and on the possibility of giving growers credit for the use of Drift Reduction Adjuvants as an ESA mitigation tool alternative to No-Spray buffers which would be difficult for growers and our members.

Make America Healthy Again Strategy Report Released

On Tuesday, September 9, the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission published its strategy report, entitled “Make Our Children Healthy Again.” The report outlines “a strategic approach for executive actions to address the childhood chronic diseases crisis,” by highlighting four priorities – research, realigning incentives, fostering private sector involvement, and increasing public awareness. The 19-page report did not propose formal rulemaking, executive orders or new legislation, but stated that these steps could be implemented within existing law. The steps affecting agriculture include:

• Increasing public awareness and confidence in EPA’s robust pesticide review process and how that limits risk for users and the general public.
• USDA and EPA should promote and incentivize farming solutions in partnership with the private sector that focus on soil health and stewardship of the land.  
• USDA should expand voluntary programs like the Environmental Quality Incentive Program and Conservation Stewardship Program, while avoiding burdensome mandates.
• New and existing programs should avoid one-size-fits-all solutions by stressing local control at the farm rather than in Washington, D.C.
• USDA and EPA should provide producers with information about programs and practices that improve pollinator management and support increased pollinator forage and habitat.
• Get farmers the technical assistance they need to implement advanced technologies such as mobile and digital planning tools for in-field, real-time assistance.
• USDA should provide growers with new tools that increase soil organic matter and improve soil composition.
• USDA and EPA will launch a partnership with private-sector innovators focused on precision technology to allow even more targeted and precise pesticide applications.

While there was some concern that the report would include proposals to restrict pesticide use, including actions against specific active ingredients, the final draft contained no such suggestions.

CPDA issued a public statement welcoming the report’s recognition of EPA’s science-based regulatory process, which ensures that crop protection products are safe and effective. CPDA emphasized that sound science and a predictable regulatory system are essential for farmers to continue producing safe, abundant, and affordable food. The statement also highlighted how innovation and precision agriculture, supported by tools such as adjuvants, align with the Commission’s emphasis on research and sustainability.

Friends of the National Arboretum Dinner Under the Stars

Last Tuesday, CPDA’s VP pf Governmental Relations Andrew Walmsley, myself and CPDA Legislative Committee Chairman Ethan Mathews of Wilbur-Ellis took part in the Friends of the National Arboretum’s (FONA) 29th annual Dinner Under the Stars, held at the National Arboretum. The event brought together agriculture and policy leaders in support of the Arboretum’s world-class research, education, and innovation programs.

Distinguished speakers included USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden, Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and House Agriculture Committee Chairman GT Thompson (R-PA). The evening provided an opportunity to strengthen relationships with key policymakers and partners in a unique setting that underscores the connection between science, nature, and agriculture.



The dinner serves as an important fundraiser for FONA, with support from leading sponsors across agriculture. CPDA’s presence at high-profile events like this reinforces our visibility and reputation as a trusted voice for agriculture in Washington.

Andrew Walmsley, Penny and Glenn “G.T.” Thompson (Chairman, House Agriculture Committee) & Terry Kippley

Scott Kuschmider, Atticus; Terry Kippley, Andrew Walmsley and fiancé Madeline Wright, CPDA; Brian Glenn, AFBF; Dorothy Clark, Land O’Lakes; Alex Noffsinger, Senate Agriculture Committee; Ethan Mathews and guest Georgiana Kein, Wilbur-Ellis.

CPDA Kicks Off Its PRIA 6 Deliberations 

Over 35 CPDA members joined us last week for a Teams meeting to begin the policy development process in preparation for the 6^th reauthorization of the Pesticide Registration Improvement Act (PRIA). While PRIA 5 doesn’t expire until September 2027, passage of PRIA 6 could occur as early as next year. So, this initial discussion served to solicit member input ahead of a day-long PRIA Coalition meeting that will shape collective priorities and to prepare us for Congressional deliberations.

This kickoff discussion was the first step in ensuring CPDA members’ priorities are clearly defined and strongly represented in PRIA 6 negotiations.

While progress has been slow for reducing the non-PRIA backlog, there is some light at the end of the tunnel as noted by Elizabeth Vizard of EPA.

Tariffs Update

For the latest on the tariff situation and their effect on pesticide active ingredients, watch the following video of our friend Jim DeLisi of Fanwood Chemical go over all the details.

CPDA’s State Affairs Committee Update

CPDA’s State Affairs Committee chaired by David Bower of Brandt met last week via Teams. As usual, the interest in what’s going on in the states is intense as more than 35 CPDA members joined us for the discussion.

As usual, much of the agenda was focused on California and the various Department of Pesticide Regulation initiatives affecting agriculture to include CalPEST, the Surface Water Protection Program and the relationship and conflicts between DPR and the County Agricultural Commissioners.

Also on the agenda was the growing list of states requiring the recycling of plastic pesticide containers through Extended Producer Responsibility mandates.



Finally, thanks go to Dr. Ian Bartlett of Syensqo for his excellent overview and update on dioxane.  

CPDA Partnership with WSSA on 2026 ESA Training

CPDA continues its partnership with the Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) on Endangered Species Act (ESA) training efforts. Last Friday, CPDA joined a meeting led by WSSA ESA Chair Bill Chism to plan updated training materials for the 2026 season. The group is working to expand existing ESA presentations with new modules focused on spray drift and runoff/erosion, with the goal of making these available as webinars.



As part of this effort, WSSA will again host an EPA field trip on endangered species later this month in North Carolina. The tour will highlight grower practices, IPM strategies, and conservation measures, while providing EPA and the National Marine Fisheries Service and the Fish and Wildlife Service with firsthand insight into how mitigation measures are implemented on the ground.

CPDA Collaborates on First-Ever U.S. Adjuvant Survey

CPDA is working with CropLife Media Group on the first-ever nationwide survey of adjuvant use. The survey is being deployed across CropLife Magazine and CropLife IRON, Cotton Grower, and American Fruit Grower audiences, and has already received 117 responses.

Lara Sowinski of CropLife Magazine will present preliminary results at the CPDA Annual Meeting on September 30. The next phase will broaden outreach beyond Meister Media’s lists to capture additional grower input, particularly from those impacted by EPA and ESA compliance.



Final survey results will be published later this year in CropLife’s Tech Guide, providing the first comprehensive snapshot of grower perspectives on adjuvant use and regulatory challenges.

CPDA Supports Callahan Nomination for Chief Agricultural Negotiator

CPDA joined more than ninety agricultural organizations on a coalition letter to Senate Finance Committee leaders urging swift confirmation of Dr. Julie Callahan as Chief Agricultural Negotiator in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.



The letter highlights Dr. Callahan’s deep experience in global agricultural trade, her proven record of advancing U.S. agriculture’s interests in negotiations, and the importance of filling this position quickly as talks continue on reciprocal tariffs and market access with trading partners.

CPDA’s Work on NRCS Technical Service Providers and Conservation Funding

We are continuing our work with Byron Hendrix and the Illinois Soybean Association on an article spotlighting how growers can better access USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) conservation programs such as the Conservation Stewardship Program and the Environmental Quality Incentive Program. 

The piece emphasized the role Certified Crop Advisors play serving as Technical Service Providers (TSPs) to growers by outlining how conservation practices like cover crops, nutrient management, and pest management can be enhanced using adjuvants and precision technologies. It also builds on Byron’s broader work with CPDA to connect conservation funding resources with practical on-farm tools, and to demonstrate how adjuvants can play a meaningful role in NRCS-supported practices. We thank Byron for his continued contributions to advancing CPDA’s efforts in this important space.

Correction:

In the last issue of News & Notes we highlighted a North Dakota State University study on the effect of tariffs on pesticide costs. In the article we failed to note that Agri-Pulse was one of the sources for the article. We regret the error and have apologized to Agri-Pulse.

Upcoming Industry Events

Until next time….