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16 Pallet C e nt ral • Janu a r y -Fe b r u a r y 2 0 25 POLICY AT PLAY CONT. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) BioPreferred program and supporting the exploration of new biochar activities. is year, the association also launched a new effort to build relationships with the Appropriations Committees in the House and Senate. ese crucial Committees decide where the nation's dollars are spent. Our relationship- building this year has paved the way for more effective advocacy when it comes time to make funding decisions for fiscal years 2025 and 2026. ese committees also approve funding for the Wood Innovation Grants many of you applied for. We aim to secure more funding for this grant to enable more grants to be awarded in future years. Regarding administration-level engagement, the association weighed in on critical global trade matters with the Office of the United States Trade Representative and the International Trade Administration. Comments were submitted when the agencies solicited public input on supply chain risk and resilience matters. Additionally, to make grant applications more accessible to our members, the association worked with the USDA to host a webinar on the Wood Innovations Grant program. ese engagements help members while cementing our role as a resource for federal agencies. On The Road With The Public Affairs Team is year, our advocacy work didn't just focus on DC. Our public affairs team hit the road and even went international. Visiting you, our members, is always an invaluable experience. Engaging with NWPCA members directly in your communities is essential for understanding the unique challenges you face and the resulting innovations and solutions. Each member's needs differ based on region, business size, and market focus, making it crucial to understand these nuances through one-on-one interactions. Without this direct engagement, we could not fully

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