There’s something powerful about hearing thirty different people tell the same story. Not in the same words. Not with the same delivery. But with the same heart. That’s what we witnessed during the recent NAEDA Fly-in to Washington, D.C. Dealers from across North America, with different brands, different backgrounds, and different business models, representing agriculture, construction, and outdoor power equipment, all speaking with one voice.
And that voice carried.
More than thirty dealer organizations came together under the NAEDA banner to meet with lawmakers on Capitol Hill. They didn’t come to make demands. They came to share real stories about rising costs, technician shortages, unpredictable tariffs, changing tax policy, and the pressure of keeping producers moving when every hour matters. These weren’t abstract policy arguments. These were the voices of men and women who know what it means to get that phone call during planting or harvest, to troubleshoot in the dark, to go without sleep because their customers can’t afford to wait.
That’s the kind of voice Congress listens to. And they did.
Dealers sat across from key decision-makers in Washington. Lawmakers like Chairman G.T. Thompson of the House Agriculture Committee, Senator John Boozman, Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, and Chairman Jason Smith of the House Ways and Means Committee. These are leaders whose committees shape farm policy, tax code, and economic tools that directly impact every corner of our industry. And as the meetings unfolded, one thing became clear: our message wasn’t just heard, it was felt. There’s a weight to lived experience that no white paper or briefing can replicate. And when thirty different people say, in their own words, that the stakes are real and the support is needed, it makes a difference.
We came to D.C. with purpose. We talked about the urgent need for a strong, modernized Farm Bill that strengthens crop insurance, updates commodity programs, and protects the tools producers rely on to navigate risk. We shared concerns about the expiration of key tax provisions like Section 179 expensing, floor plan interest deductibility, and bonus depreciation, that directly impact a dealer’s ability to invest, grow, and serve their customers. We addressed the ripple effects of tariffs, and how the back-and-forth of trade policy plays out in parts availability, price fluctuations, and strained farm margins.
We raised our voices around the workforce crisis that continues to challenge this industry, particularly the shortage of skilled technicians. And we spoke clearly on Right to Repair: that the private-sector MOUs now in place are working, that access exists, and that legislation isn’t the solution. The issue isn’t access, it’s labor. And no regulation will fill an empty service bay.
But beyond any single issue, what made this Fly-in so impactful was the sense of unity. No matter where they came from, no matter what color their equipment, every dealer who walked into those meetings carried the same message: We’re in this together, and we need policies that support the people doing the work on the ground.
That’s the power of one voice. Not in uniformity of expression, but in unity of purpose. And that’s what moved the needle.
Huge shout out to Eric Wareham, NAEDA’s Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, and Kipp McGuire, Director of Government Affairs, who so thoughtfully organized each meeting and gave this trip the structure it needed to succeed. But the heart of the experience, the reason it mattered, was the people in the room.
Salt-of-the-earth leaders. Business owners. Service-minded problem solvers. Men and women representing the backbone of agriculture, construction, and outdoor power equipment. They didn’t show up with pretense or pressure, but with lived-in truth and shared conviction. And because they showed up together, they were able to speak louder than any one voice could alone.
This Fly-in was a reminder: policies may be shaped by process, but they’re moved by people. And when those people speak with one voice, there’s power.
Article Written by Michael Piercy
Michael Piercy is the Senior Vice President of Manufacturer and Dealer Relations at the North American Equipment Dealers Association (NAEDA). With extensive experience in dealership operations and strategic development, Michael serves as a key advocate for equipment dealers on manufacturer-related matters. Through his leadership and collaboration with NAEDA’s Dealer Institute, he works closely with members to enhance leadership capabilities, improve business performance, and support long-term success across the industry.
