NEWS: Sen. Schiff Pushes to Level Playing Field for California’s Farmers in Senate Farm Bill with Six New Agriculture Bills

Schiff is introducing a new legislative package aimed at providing new market opportunities and improving federal assistance for California's specialty crop growers

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Adam Schiff is introducing six new pieces of legislation aimed at expanding support and market access for specialty crop farmers and leveling the playing field for California growers in the upcoming Farm Bill.

Senator Schiff is the first Senator from California to serve on the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry in over 30 years. These bills are inspired by trips Schiff made to farms across California over the past 18 months, where he heard about struggles related to tariffs and trade wars, input costs, and lack of parity in federal support compared to other states' agricultural industries.

Schiff is introducing the legislative package ahead of the Senate Agriculture Committee's consideration of the Farm Bill, expected to be released in the coming weeks.

"California continues to lead the way in specialty crops, growing nearly half of the nation's vegetables and over three-quarters of the country's fruits and nuts. As California's first senator to serve on the Senate Agriculture Committee in over 30 years, I'm fighting to address the needs of specialty crop farmers, which are very different than those of the commodity crops of the Midwest and the South. I'm proud to introduce these bills to expand federal funding and bolster programs to better serve farmers in the Golden State. These proposals were formed based on ongoing feedback I've gathered during my visits to farms up and down the state, speaking with farmers, farmworkers and other producers. I will continue to push for these policies as the Senate considers the Farm Bill," said Senator Schiff.

Senator Schiff's legislative package includes:

1. The Economic Relief for Specialty Crops Act would provide $5 billion in economic assistance for specialty crop producers. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) recent distribution of disaster and economic relief for specialty crop farmers has been deeply disappointing and inadequate. Amidst natural disasters and the administration's trade policy, high input costs, and the war in Iran, these growers need meaningful and timely relief. The bill text can be viewed here.
2. The Improving Pest and Disease Preparedness for Specialty Crops Act would enhance USDA's pest and disease management. Specifically, the bill would boost funding for USDA's Plant Pest and Disease Management and Disaster Prevention Program, ensure that USDA provides adequate resources for pest prevention in high-risk states, and increase funding for the National Clean Plant Network, which diagnoses and eliminates pathogens from specialty crop plants. From glassy-winged sharpshooter and red blotch in grapevines to citrus greening, the federal government must enhance California producers' ability to prevent and fight pests and disease. The bill text can be viewed here.
3. The Increasing Insurance Access for Specialty Crops Act would establish a first-time ever Specialty Crop Advisory Committee for Crop Insurance at USDA. This Committee would improve existing policies available to specialty crops, conduct outreach, and facilitate the development of new insurance policies for specialty crops. The majority of U.S. specialty crop growers operate without crop insurance or any other form of a federal safety net. Specialty crop farmers deserve an affordable and effective safety net. This bill is co-led by Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) The bill text can be viewed here.
4. The Advancing Automation Research and Development in Agriculture Act would allocate $30 million per year from USDA research funding for the research and development of specialty crop mechanization and automation. Agricultural labor is an ongoing challenge for farmers, and this bill would improve their ability to grow, harvest, and handle what they grow while upskilling farmworkers in their ability to use such technology. The bill text can be viewed here.
5. The Ensuring Disaster Recovery and Resilience for Specialty Crops Act would establish a permanent disaster program tailored to specialty crops. USDA and Congress have repeatedly had to provide disaster relief to growers on an ad hoc basis. A permanent program would allow growers to receive relief on a timely and reliable basis. Farmers and ranchers across the country have long had access to a plethora of disaster programs; specialty crop farmers deserve a dedicated program that works well for them, as well. This bill is co-led by Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) The bill text can be viewed here.
6. The Expanding Market Access Act would enhance American producers' access to foreign markets to help meet international demand for California and U.S. products. Specifically, the bill would provide technical assistance for infrastructure in foreign markets for U.S. commodities, mandate a report on the competitiveness of U.S. specialty crops, and increase funding for the Market Access Program, which funds overseas marketing and promotional activities of U.S. agricultural products. California farmers feed not just the state and the nation, but the world. We must invest in resources to ensure they can keep doing so. The bill text can be viewed here.

Background:

Earlier this month, Senator Schiff outlined his priorities for the next Farm Bill and his plans to push for a bill that reflects economic opportunity, health, sustainability, national security, and prosperity. During the first year and a half of the Senator's term on the Senate Agriculture Committee, he has visited farms across the entirety of California, learning about the Golden State's countless agricultural industries, including strawberries, almonds, broccoli, celery, and leafy greens.

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