GRAY BACKED FARM BILL PASSES THROUGH FULL HOUSE WITH BIPARTISAN SUPPORT

In a major win for the Central Valley, Congressman Adam Gray (CA-13) today helped pass the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 through the full House of Representatives and secured the inclusion of an amendment to further strengthen the bill for Valley farmers, businesses, and rural communities.

"Passing a bipartisan Farm Bill gives Valley farmers and ranchers the certainty they need to plan, manage risk, and keep producing," said Congressman Adam Gray (CA-13). "It strengthens support for American-grown products and invests in the tools needed to stay competitive. This is about keeping agriculture strong in the Central Valley."

A Member of the House Agriculture Committee, Congressman Gray has played a central role in moving the bipartisan Farm Bill forward this Congress and secured important priorities for the Valley. Most recently, on the House floor, Congressman Gray was able to unanimously pass an additional amendment to the Farm Bill that will help protect the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program by prohibiting the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) from implementing dangerous cost-sharing or matching requirements.

During Committee markup, Congressman Gray was able to unanimously pass two amendments to strengthen the bill. The first would allow states the flexibility to allocate up to 20% of their Emergency Food Assistance Program funding towards the USDA Department of Defense Fresh Fruit and Vegetable program. This will expand procurement opportunities for the fresh products grown in the Valley. The second requires the USDA to report to Congress how changes to or expiration of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement will affect the agriculture industry.

In addition, Congressman Gray led efforts to support specialty crop growers by strengthening research and development, doubling funding for the Market Access Program (MAP), the Foreign Market Development Program (FMD), and the Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops (TASC) programs. Additionally, he supported the Farm Bills establishment of a specialty crop advisory committee for policy development and expansion, expansion of procurement programs, and improvements to the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.

Congressman Gray also introduced an additional amendment that the House Rules Committee voted not to include. The amendment, if adopted by the full House, would have provided $5 billion dollars in much needed economic assistance to our nation's Specialty Crop growers.

"The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) thanks Reps. Adam Gray (D-CA), David Valadao (R-CA), and the many cosponsors of the bipartisan amendment that prohibits USDA from imposing cost-sharing or matching requirements on the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, thereby protecting the program's viability. Their leadership ensures the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program will continue to benefit specialty crop producers by providing a flexible program that improves outcomes for the sector," said Ted McKinney, CEO of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA).

"The importance of congressional representatives focused on California agriculture cannot be overstated. The California Farm Bureau appreciates Rep. Adam Gray's work on the 2026 Farm Bill, particularly his amendment to the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. A practical Farm Bill ensures California's farmers and ranchers remain competitive both at home and in the global market. We urge the Senate to follow the House's lead and pass the Farm Bill," said Shannon Douglass, President of the California Farm Bureau.

"The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance commends Rep. Adam Gray for his strong support of our industry. Building on his success in adding more fruits and vegetables to government procurement programs during the Agriculture Committee's consideration of the farm bill, he has also secured a crucial amendment on the House floor to protect the Specialty Crop Block Grant program. His bipartisan work in support of a new five-year farm bill is key to enhancing the competitiveness of specialty crop growers in California and across the United States, and we thank him," said Jonathon Cordone, Executive Director of the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance.

"The California Fresh Fruit Association (CFFA) applauds Congressman Adam Gray and his team for their leadership in advancing and passing H.R. 7567 off the House Floor. The Congressman's support of the House's Farm Bill reflects a strong understanding of the challenges facing specialty crop growers, particularly in California. CFFA greatly appreciates his leadership in securing provisions that strengthen the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, which delivers flexible, on-the-ground resources for fresh fruit producers by supporting research, market development, and competitiveness. The Association commends Congressman Gray for standing with specialty crop agriculture and farmers across the nation. We look forward to continued collaboration with his office, especially as Congress works to get this legislation to the President," said Casey Creamer, President of the California Fresh Fruit Association.

"At a time when fruit and vegetable growers across the nation are facing strong economic headwinds, The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program continues to be one of the most effective tools we have to support specialty crop growers across the country. This strength lies in its flexibility, which allows states to tailor investments to the unique needs of their producers - whether that's research, marketing, or innovation. We appreciate Congressman Gray's leadership in protecting the integrity of this program and ensuring it remains accessible and workable for our fresh produce growers and state partners. Maintaining that flexibility is critical to keeping our industry competitive and continuing to deliver for American agriculture," said Cathy Burns, CEO of the International Fresh Produce Association.

"The California Association of Winegrape Growers recognizes the importance of the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program and appreciates Congressman Adam Gray's leadership in securing this important provision. By removing matching fund requirements, this change will preserve access to critical research funding at a time when growers are facing significant economic pressures, allowing more resources to reach the field and support the innovation and solutions our industry depends on," said Natalie Collins, President of the California Association of Winegrape Growers.

"The American Pistachio Growers thank Congressman Adam Gray (D-CA-13) for his continued leadership on issues impacting our farmers and processors, from his decade of service in the State Assembly to his work in Congress. Most recently, his bipartisan amendment-included in the farm bill passed today by the U.S. House of Representatives-prohibits USDA from imposing a new 25% cost-share requirement for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. This requirement would have undermined the program's integrity and accessibility for pistachio growers nationwide," said Cadee Condit, Vice President of Government Relation of the American Pistachio Growers.

"California blueberry growers continue to face rising production costs, labor challenges, market volatility, increasing import pressure, and the need for continued investment in research, pest and disease prevention, market access, and nutrition programs. A strong Farm Bill is critical to ensuring that specialty crop producers have the tools necessary to remain competitive, protect domestic production, and continue providing healthy, high-quality fruit to consumers. The Commission supports Farm Bill provisions that strengthen specialty crop research, expand export market development, protect plant health, improve risk management tools, and ensure specialty crops are meaningfully represented in federal agricultural policy. We appreciate your leadership and attention to the needs of California agriculture and urge continued support for a Farm Bill that delivers meaningful benefits for blueberry growers and the broader specialty crop sector," said Todd Sanders, Executive Director of the California Blueberry Commission.

"Western Growers thanks Rep. Adam Gray (CA-13) for his support of California's specialty crop agriculture in today's bipartisan House passage of H.R. 7567-the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, as well as his successful protection of the Specialty Crop Block Grant program during Floor consideration. This is a foundational program for our industry, and your commitment on the House Agriculture Committee to the resilience of our nation's fresh produce supply is deeply appreciated," said Western Growers.

Read the full text of the amendment that was included in the Farm Bill here.