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The professional lawn care industry has yet again been rocked by restrictive court rulings. Montgomery County, Maryland pesticide ban, glyphosate rulings, pesticide hot spots in Maine and Minneapolis and more. It’s easy for lawn care operators to think that nothing that can be done, and that emotion will prevail over science. But nothing can be further from the truth.

LCOs – big and small – can help shape more informed attitudes surrounding pesticides and fertilizers beginning with on the ground engagement and advocacy.

Advocacy is easy. Simply put, it’s starting a conversation or sharing a way of thinking. It’s a positive approach to problem solving and it’s essential in today’s political and business climate. While LCOs may have become numb to negativity and attacks against the lawn care industry, it’s imperative that complacency not win.

Communication and participation were common themes at a recent Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment (RISE) conference this past summer. Throughout the conference, messages of the value of a proactive approach and educating regulators and consumers were reiterated.

It was highlighted by a presentation by Roger Rickard, author of the book Voices in Advocacy. Rickard repeatedly told the audience that “the power is in your hands and there’s more than one-way advocacy can create change.”

While advocacy is commonly associated with government, Rickard said achieving a successful advocacy initiative is accomplished in different ways including:

• Government
• Media
• Public service
• Brand
• Cause
• Industry
• People power

Rickard shared several stories of empowerment to emphasize the important role individuals play in creating change.

One widely known story of people advocacy is Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream speech.” The event where this speech took place was not sanctioned until six weeks prior. And in 1963, with no cell phones, email or social media at their disposal to get the word out, seven different African American groups somehow figured out how to come together for an event that changed race relations in the U.S.

A more current example came following the Parkland, Florida school shooting that left 17 dead. In the days following the shooting, students were motivated to do something to stop school shootings from impacting their school and others across the country. As they faced the monumental task to advocate for gun reform, they determinedly moved forward one step at a time.

Rickard said the industry can learn from these examples. “You have to create influence, or you are  vulnerable to government regulation and policy decisions,” he said. “You have to believe no matter what you’re doing you can help make a difference. If you can change one mind to participate or be engaged more, you’re doing your job.”

Make it happen by being engaged. Be an advocate for your business and your industry.

Sidebar: 7 actions of highly effective advocates

What can the lawn care industry do to make a difference? Never assume that a small group of people cannot make a difference. Our industry helps things grow, now it’s time grow our influence.

Ways that LCOs can advocate:

1. Believe – you can make a difference.
2. Be Informed – read, research and participate in your local, state and national organizations. Know the issues inside and out.
3. Discuss the Issues – discuss opportunities to be involved; spread the word. Encourage your peers and employees to do the same.
4. Get on the Record – a lot of people sit back and complain yet never do anything. The number one influencer of elected officials at all levels of government is a visit from a constituent Placing a face with a name is important.
5. Be a Resource – provide expertise; encourage people (media, regulators, etc.) to come to you for the facts on an issue. Don’t let someone else tell your story.
6. Volunteer – play a part for the cause; step up and participate. Be a giver, not a taker.
7. Contribute – donate money, time or expertise to the cause.

These steps don’t need to be followed in order and you don’t have to do them all, but you must do something.

-- Roger Rickard’s Voices in Advocacy, www.voicesinadvocacy.com

The author is Executive Director of Project EverGreen.