Michael Frantz testifies on specialty crop industry issues

Michael Frantz, president of Frantz Wholesale Nursery Company, testified before the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture on Sept. 16 during a hearing on the state of the specialty crop industry.

Frantz, a second-generation grower from Hickman, California, represented AmericanHort as one of four organizations invited to provide testimony. His remarks addressed crop insurance, disaster relief, rising input costs, tariffs and supply chain pressures affecting greenhouse and nursery operations.

“Testifying before the House Agriculture Committee members was a great opportunity to share what horticulture and specialty crop growers are experiencing day to day,” Frantz said. “As a family farmer and business owner, I appreciated the chance to speak directly to our elected leaders in Washington, D.C. I will work to ensure that our industry’s needs and perspectives are part of the conversation.”

Ken Fisher, president and CEO of AmericanHort, said Frantz’s testimony underscored the importance of including grower perspectives in policy discussions.

Other organizations invited to testify included the International Fresh Produce Association, the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture and an agricultural economist.