Jim Costa

We need to ensure that our producers are not punished for adapting.

We must look forward to market-based solutions, any ways to incentify sustainable practices.

I think it is critical that we come up with more measurable ways to assess progress on the farm.

I have switched to Jersey breeds on one of my farms, and one of the things I noticed is the tolerance that they have to heat is much greater than a Holstein.

I fear that the opposite approach, burdensome top-down regulations and costly complicated policies will harm rural economies.

The Biden Administration has rejoined the Paris Agreement. I think this is an opportunity for us to look on how we work together not only in this country, but around the world.

Agriculture is the solution; it is not the problem.

A better, more sustainable future will not come from the harsh, scolding voices of the naysayers.

I think the panel that we have here is an impressive caliber of knowledge on what is being done to build sustainability in our livestock system.

I think you have to be an optimist if you are a farmer, a rancher, or a dairyman or -woman.

It is, as I think many of you have heard me say time and time again, a national security issue.

Thank you, Chairman Costa, and thank you for having this hearing today.

The divisions aren't good, and they are not helpful toward reaching common solutions.

Mr. Crowder, obviously, you talk about certain programs, and you focus on obviously conservation, technical assistance, and you hit on EQIP quite a bit in that.

Now, as we look to better protect our environment, of course, I firmly believe and I think most people around this dais firmly believe that farmers have a huge role to play, as well as our government, so that we can provide the resources…

When the Native Americans managed Yosemite floor, they seemed to do a better job than we did.

And, of course, we are losing water. We lost over 700,000 acre feet of water in drought conditions.

The permitting impacts you as well for other forest areas.

We could do more of it, right?

It is only a shot in the arm in terms of what we actually need to make a difference on the landscape.

We have done a poor job, let's acknowledge it, for 20 years in managing our forests, and we are paying the price for that.

We are playing catch-up.

In our opinion, you could really take what California is doing and see if it is something we can offer nationwide as an option in the next farm bill.

I'm very familiar with the details, my friend. I am wanting to know can we expand that in the reauthorization of the farm bill to provide those benefits nationwide...

I want to thank you, and Chairman Scott, and really everybody on the House Agriculture Committee for your support on this bill, for the Ocean Shipping Reform Act (Pub. L. 117-146).