Loading video...
Source: Congress.gov
Summary
No summary available.
Participants
Transcript
The committee will come to order. Welcome and thank you for joining today's hearing entitled An Examination of the Specialty Crop Industry. After brief opening remarks, members will receive testimony from our witnesses today and then the hearing will be open to questions. So good morning once again everyone and welcome to today's hearing. I want to begin by thanking Ranking Member Craig for her partnership in hosting this bipartisan hearing. I also want to thank our colleagues for their participation and continued commitment to work together on behalf of American agriculture. Most importantly, I want to extend my sincere thanks to our witnesses. We know that your time is valuable and your decision to be here today to share your perspectives, your experiences and concerns is greatly appreciated. As we examine the current landscape and especially crop industry, your firsthand insights are essential to make sure our work is informed by those who live and breathe these challenges every day. Specialty crop plays a crucial and often underappreciated role in the success of U.S. agriculture. Fruits, vegetables, and tree nuts provide nutritious, high quality food that supports the health of our population at home and abroad. Beyond the plate, nursery crops and floriculture industries contribute to our quality of life, beautifying our communities and supporting local economies. From the flower beds to our neighborhoods to produce aisles in our grocery stores, especially crops touch our lives in countless ways. However, the very diversity that defines this industry can also present unique challenges in policy development. From ensuring adequate risk management tools to supporting effective research, the specialty crop industry requires thoughtful solutions to nuanced challenges. Producers navigate a complex web of pest and disease threats, rising costs, regulatory constraints, and global competition.
all while trying to meet evolving customer expectations. Over the years, this committee has worked to create those thoughtful solutions through the creation of specific programs that support the sector and by working across titles to improve program delivery for specialty crop producers. We recognize that the challenges of a citrus producer in California look different than those of a wheat farmer in Kansas, and we believe that our agriculture policy should reflect those differences. As we hear more on what it means to support the industry in a meaningful and effective way today, it is timely to highlight the substantial investments made via budget reconciliation to support our specialty crop producers. And I wanted to share a few examples. But I'm going to back that up to really was the you know the investments that were included were ones that were I want to really want to say thank you to all all the members of the committee that were here last Congress because that was a blueprint that we use as we worked on the piece of legislation that passed out of this committee with some bipartisan votes that was that was the hard work uh that became the template for what we're able to move in uh in budget reconciliation as a vehicle to get it into law but it was it was really the bipartisan work of this committee in the area especially crops and so some thank yous but some of those accomplishments include an historic investment of an additional 95 million dollars per year in the specialty crop research initiative a competitive grant program that provides resources for research and extensive projects that ensures the specialty crop industry is not being sidelined. An additional $15 million increase for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, enabling state departments of agriculture to work with their producers to enhance their competitiveness.
Another $15 million in increased funding to the Plant, Pest, and Disease Management and Disaster Prevention Program, which is essential to safeguarding American agriculture from invasive pests and diseases that can be particularly devastating to especially crop producers. And funding was doubled for market development programs to help support export growth for agricultural commodities and to ultimately return to an agriculture trade surplus. which we know is particularly important for the horticulture industry. These investments represent a substantial step in rising to the occasion of assisting our specialty crop producers. But investment alone is not enough. We also need to ensure these programs are accessible, effective, and responsive to real world conditions. Today's hearing is an opportunity to take stock of where we are, hear directly from stakeholders, and identify where we can come together to find workable solutions that support this essential sector. Thank you again to our witnesses for being here, and thank you to my colleagues for your attention and engagement. I look forward to a productive discussion and to work together to ensure a bright future for America's specialty crop producers. With that, I'd now like to welcome the distinguished ranking member, the gentlewoman from Minnesota, Ms. Gregg, for any opening remarks you would like to give.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and a special thank you and welcome to our witnesses here today. We really appreciate this bipartisan hearing. I also want to recognize the subcommittee ranking member, Salinas, who has been a stalwart champion for our specialty crop farmers. Oregon, as we all know, is home to many specialty crops, including wine grapes and grass seed. She comes to work every day to fight on their behalf. Thank you for your leadership, Andrea. While row crops are critical to our nation's energy and food security, specialty crops are just as important.
Sign up for free to see the full transcript
Accounts help us prevent bots from abusing our site. Accounts are free and will allow you to access the full transcript.