Representatives David G. Valadao (R-CA), Jim Costa (D-CA), David Rouzer (R-NC), and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) have announced the reestablishment of the bipartisan Congressional Specialty Crops Caucus. The caucus is dedicated to highlighting the issues facing the specialty crop industry and building support for policies that allow U.S. specialty growers, processors, and partners to prosper by providing American families with safe, affordable, and nutritious foods.
"Specialty crop producers have faced many challenges over the last few years," said Congressman Valadao. "From supply chain backlogs at our ports, rising input costs, labor shortages, and drought; our producers have continued to supply the world with fresh, nutritious food despite these obstacles. Specialty crops are a cornerstone of California agriculture, and we need to ensure these producers are supported at the federal level. I'm excited to be co-chairing the Specialty Crops Caucus to ensure our specialty crop producers have a seat at the table in Washington."
"California is the leading producer of specialty crops, with over 400 different crops. Any Farm Bill must include strong, bipartisan support for specialty crops," said Congressman Costa. "This caucus will continue advocating for policies that allow Specialty Crop growers to continue providing American families with safe, healthy foods."
Specialty crops include fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops. Critical to our nation's food security, diverse agricultural landscape, and economy, specialty crops account for more than one-third of farm gate value, represent 2.2 million jobs across all 50 states, and contributed $120.6 billion in labor income to the American economy last year. The caucus will work to introduce and support legislation that benefits specialty crop producers and address issues such as market access, research funding, and sustainability measures.
"North Carolina produces more than ninety commodities, providing fresh produce and ornamentals to consumers around the world. The unique challenges faced by the specialty crop industry deserve to be heard when debating farm policy in Congress. The Specialty Crops Caucus will help enhance this industry's voice to better ensure these issues can be properly addressed," said Congressman Rouzer.
"Here in Michigan, specialty crops – from cherries, to asparagus, to beans – are our bread and butter, and the reason that we're America's most agriculturally diverse state with reliable access to water," said Congresswoman Slotkin. "It's critical that we protect and support the next generation of farmers – including small farmers. That is why I'm joining my colleagues to launch the bipartisan Congressional Specialty Crops Caucus. This is a group that will look out for the farmers that are often lost in the agriculture conversation in Washington, and make sure they're represented on every page of the Farm Bill."
Source: valadao.house.gov