#7 National and State Ag Av Associations

National and State Ag Aviation Associations.  What purpose do they serve to Ag pilots, operators, and the industry as whole? Are they just conventions or do they work to keep our airplanes moving? I had the pleasure to sit down with NAAA President Jim Perrin and NAAREF President Matt Hovdenes to find out what's going on inside our ag aviation associations.  Jim Perrin is a long time pilot/operator who has been involved with the NAAA and numerous state associations spanning his career.  Matt Hovdenes is a pilot turned operator who was required by his mentor to join their state association at the outset of his career.  Since then he has served with many state associations, the NAAA, and NAAREF.  We discuss what our state and national associations do that from a distance you'll never notice.  A few important actions being being taken I wasn't aware of were, pesticide label registration/registration.  The NAAA is commenting on over 70 product labels a year helping make sure that aerial application stay on the label! The prevention of over regulation from state and federal regulators, and many more. I had a new appreciation for our associations and the people that volunteer to serve in them.  I would encourage everyone to be member of our national and state associations, but don't just be a member, get involved.  If you feel like you're paying for an expensive convention come to a board meeting and see what work is being done for the industry.  It will change your perspective and make you feel like your membership dues are an investment in the future of our industry.  This was recorded last December at the NAAA convention in Savannah.  Thank you Jim and Matt for your time, knowledge, and experience.  If you're interested in joining the NAAA head over to agaviation.org.  I hope to see you all at the convention in Knoxville!

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