Christy Birdsong, who has served as counsel for the House Committee on Agriculture since 2005, joins the Memphis-based National Cotton Council of America as general counsel.
Birdsong provided the Agriculture Committee with legal counsel on issues ranging from conservation to climate change. She also worked extensively with policy staff and interest groups in drafting the research, conservation and horticultures titles of the current farm bill.
Prior to her House Agriculture Committee tenure, Birdsong served as federal government affairs leader for CropLife America in Washington, DC. While there, she developed, implemented and managed legislative and political strategies in support of pesticides and crop biotechnology products. She also monitored, reviewed and analyzed all pesticide initiatives that emanated from Congress.
Birdsong also served as a legislative assistant for then California Representative Gary Condit, and later as a federal representative for then California Governor Gray Davis. She earned a B.A. in English and Anthropology from the University of California, Berkeley, and her J.D. from the University of California’s Hastings College of Law.
Birdsong, who will be based in the NCC’s Washington office, will report directly to the NCC President and be responsible for providing principal legal guidance and opinions on all matters which may be of concern to the association.
“She also will assist in the development of industry testimony,” NCC President Mark Lange said. “She hassignificant experience in drafting and analyzing legislation and identifying and determining the potential impact of emerging issues. She also is very familiar with farm policy, environmental issues and other matters of major interest and concern to the U.S. cotton industry.”