Bringing in the New Year is always an exciting time. It's a time to set new goals for your business and assess how well you achieved the prior year's objectives. It's a time to seek out new opportunities and to feel reinvigorated as you plan for the work to be done. Now that 2014 is here, we have set new priorities and our plan is underway. Many of you are probably familiar with some of the issues our industry faced in 2013, including private and public property pesticide bans at the local level and pollinator health. Although these issues remain top priorities for us, I expect other issues to take priority as well as the year unfolds. Focus on the Clean Water Act and expanding the definition of "waters of the U.S." is one emerging area.

Now that it's January it means many state legislative sessions are open and bills affecting our industry have already been introduced. Currently there are anti-neonicotinoid bills active in Maine, New Jersey, New York, and Oregon. As momentum builds around the pollinator issue, I expect other states to introduce such language. I know that spring is an important time for you as you prepare your business for the busy outdoor season, and that's why it's important to be prepared for the questions and concerns you may hear about the products you use and pollinators.

In my last article I touched upon the pollinator issue and I think it is pertinent to expand upon this conversation. Pollinator health discussions continue to gain a lot of attention by social media outlets and on a limited basis in mainstream media. We continue to lead our industry's strategic and measured responses, and it is vital for us as an industry to remain united through effective and positive messaging. In December, we saw the launch of a nationwide campaign focusing on neonicotinoid products. However, while we are seeing the predominant use of social media to spread messages, calls for action, and signing online petitions, these activities are still very limited in their influence on policy and regulation. We are actively working with policymakers to ensure they understand the positive benefits from these products, and we are also bolstering our social media platforms to advocate more effectively on this issue.

So, what can you do? There are many ways that you can add our voice to the discussion and make a difference. By joining our grassroots network you can be kept in the loop about our issue management with issue alerts and calls for action. Becoming an advocate is easy, and you have the opportunity to stand up for your state and the industry when it counts. Policymakers need to hear your personal stories to learn about the positive benefits our products provide to communities, the environment, and public safety and health. You can also help by always reading and following all label directions and urging your customers to do the same to ensure pollinator safety.

Although it is January and I am sure you've already set your goals, it is never too late to add another. Join our grassroots network by emailing us at grassroots@pestfacts.org to get engaged and learn more about the pollinator issue. Visit our website, www.debugthemyths.com, for resources and information you can use every day.