Right now, one of the biggest items on Congress’ to-do list is the Farm Bill, a package of legislation that governs a wide range of agriculture, forestry and nutrition programs, and is typically reauthorized every five years. Legislation that impacts livelihoods throughout the Valley should not be crafted behind closed doors without your input. Read more »

The lights of food shortages are blinking red — now is the time to do everything in our power to ensure the safety and security of our domestic food supply. Read more »

After a years-long drought, much of California is now under water. The state has been hit by a series of atmospheric rivers that have devastated Central Valley communities with flooding and caused widespread damage to farms, businesses, homes, and critical infrastructure. This flooding has brought renewed attention to California’s water problems. Read more »

I get asked a lot what can be done to bring down these costs, and the truth is the only way to ensure long-term stability in energy prices is to increase our domestic production. Last week, House Republicans passed HR 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act, to do just that. Read more »

The last two years have been defined by uncertainty — a global pandemic, war in Ukraine, supply chain disruption, record inflation and skyrocketing costs from the gas pump to the grocery store. America’s agriculture sector was not spared from these challenges. In fact, despite these challenges, the nation’s farmers and ranchers continued to provide the safest, most abundant and affordable food and fiber supply to not only our nation, but also the globe. Read more »

Read the Op-Ed in the Bakersfield California Taking a drive through Bakersfield, you’re almost sure to pass at least one oil derrick pump. For the city that’s home to the Bakersfield High School “Drillers,” it doesn’t come as a surprise that Kern County is the seventh largest oil-producing county in the nation. The oil and gas industry in Kern County accounts for a quarter of the… Read more »

Water is the lifeblood of the Central Valley. With less than 1 percent of our nation’s farmland, the Central Valley supplies a quarter of our nation’s food and the majority of our nation’s fruits, nuts and vegetables. Our well-deserved reputation as America’s breadbasket comes from the help of nature and a whole lot of hard work and skill from our farmers, ranchers and producers. Read more »

This week, the average price of a gallon of gas in California reached $6.38. Central Valley families are feeling the impacts of rising costs at the grocery store, on their monthly energy bills, and at the gas pump. With many here in the Valley packing their cars for summer road trips, the upcoming gas price hike is going to make that holiday road trip for the Fourth of July even more expensive. Read more »

This week is National Police Week — a time to honor the brave officers who gave their lives in the line of duty. It is also an important time to express our thanks to current law enforcement officers for their service. With crime rates on the rise in California and across the country, now more than ever we need to equip our law enforcement officers with the tools necessary to serve and protect our communities. Read more »

The California Inland Port is a project that enjoys bipartisan support — something rare in these hyper partisan times. It is a global model for supply chain efficiency, clean logistics and economic development. This project would mean cleaner air, less greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs), reduced traffic, and 100,000 new jobs in the San Joaquin Valley. Read more »