Jim Costa

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

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

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

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

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.

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

Agriculture is the solution; it is not the problem.

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

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

If we want our farmers to be able to deal with extreme weather and avoid additional regulations, we have to create incentive programs that really have some meat on the bones.

I think they need to cover all of the aspects of what American agriculture is doing.

I have always said food is a national security issue.

These programs are important for multiple reasons: they open and grow new markets for high quality, American food and agriculture products, they save lives, they build local agriculture and food systems in developing economies, and they…

the permitting impacts you as well for other forest areas.

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…

SNAP and the access to food is critical for lives in America but also to change lives.

we are playing catch-up.

Farmers are risk takers.

Provide a living wage.

we have a crisis that we are dealing with as a result of world events, and the situation in Ukraine, the horrific invasion of Ukraine by Russia is having a ripple effect across the world.

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

we could do more of it, right?

I think more funding is needed.

Farmers are price takers, not price makers.

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.