A Unified Voice for the Floral Industry: Mellano & Company at the 44th Congressional Action Days
At Mellano & Company, we’ve always believed that great flowers deserve great advocacy. From our farms to your home, the floral journey is shaped by policies that affect trade, labor, research, and logistics. That’s why we traveled to Washington, D.C. last March 17-18, 2025 to take part in the 44th Annual Congressional Action Days (CAD), hosted by the Society of American Florists (SAF).
As always, CAD brought together growers, wholesalers, retailers, and suppliers from across the U.S. and Latin America to meet face-to-face with members of Congress. Our own Michelle Castellano Keeler, SAF Immediate Past President, helped lead this year’s event, reinforcing the importance of having our voices heard on Capitol Hill:
“Nobody can tell our story better than we can. It’s essential that members of Congress hear directly from the people who run flower businesses.”
This year’s meetings were not just symbolic—they were strategic. We joined more than 50 floral industry professionals in advocating for a comprehensive set of priorities, all focused on protecting and strengthening the future of our industry.
The Issues That Matter to Our Industry
Here’s what we advocated for—and why it matters:
Tariff Relief – We pushed for the reinstatement of the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), which would restore duty-free status for Ecuadorian roses and save the industry millions annually.
Opposing New Tariffs – Recent discussions around new and expanded tariffs on floral products and agricultural materials—especially from key trading partners like Mexico, Canada, and Colombia—are causing concern throughout the industry. These tariffs threaten to drive up costs for essential items like fresh-cut flowers, containers, and even fertilizer ingredients like potassium. For many small and mid-sized flower farms and distributors, these added costs could make the difference between thriving and merely surviving.
At Mellano & Company, we’re actively monitoring these developments. We’re also engaging with our partners and policymakers to ensure that any trade decisions made in Washington reflect the real-world needs of the floral industry. Tariffs that sound simple on paper can have far-reaching consequences for family-run farms, local floral shops, and even individuals planning a wedding, celebration, or event.
H-2A Labor Reform – We urged lawmakers to simplify and reduce costs in the H-2A guest worker program, which many growers depend on for seasonal labor.
Port Inspection Staffing – We advocated for proper staffing at USDA inspection ports to avoid delays that can lead to product loss and supply chain disruption.
Floriculture Research Funding – We supported continued investment in research for pest control, climate adaptation, and labor-saving automation through the Floriculture and Nursery Research Initiative (FNRI).
Why It Matters: A Stronger Future for Flowers
Each of these advocacy areas affects the way we grow, import, distribute, and design with flowers. Whether it’s a bride walking down the aisle with American-grown foliage and Ecuadorian roses in their bouquet or your local flower shop placing their monthly orders, the policy decisions made in Washington shape the floral experience at every level.
CAD isn’t just about asking for support—it’s about building long-term partnerships with legislators. It’s about making sure they understand that floral businesses, like Mellano & Company, are rooted in tradition, driven by quality, and deeply committed to our customers and communities.
We are proud to stand alongside our peers. Mellano & Company will continue to advocate for policies that protect growers, empower florists, and keep flowers blooming and foliage thriving across America.