Rep. Jim Costa, D-Calif, has announced he will seek the chairmanship of the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture.
“The Committee on Agriculture should reflect the changing landscape of agriculture in the United States,” Costa said in a news release. “As a third-generation farmer, I have the firsthand experience, expertise and passion to connect with rural Americans and lead this committee through the difficult challenges ahead.”
Costa now serves as chairman of the subcommittee on Livestock and Foreign Agriculture in the 116th Congress and is third in seniority on the committee, according to the release.
Costa joined the House Agriculture Committee in 2005. Since then, he has served on the conference committee for both the 2018 and 2014 Farm Bills.
“Chairman Peterson is a friend and mentor and he leaves big shoes to fill,” Costa said in the release. “Not only must this Committee address an unstable agricultural economy and a broken international trade system, but we must also feed millions of vulnerable Americans in the throes of a worldwide pandemic. This is a challenge I am ready to accept.”
Costa represents California’s 16th Congressional District, which includes both urban and rural areas in Fresno, Madera, and Merced counties. Those counties account for about 25% of the state’s agricultural production.
Dave Puglia, president and CEO of Western Growers, said the group will strongly support Costa being named chair of the committee.
“He is a strong ally to the fresh produce industry,” Puglia said in an e-mail Nov. 5.
The California Fresh Fruit Association also announced its support for Costa.
“During his time in Congress, Congressman Costa has repeatedly demonstrated an astute knowledge for not only the needs of production agriculture, but also the needs of those who rely on our nation’s nutrition programs,” Ian LeMay, president of CFFA, said in a statement. “A farmer himself, Congressman Costa understands the daily challenges farmers face to produce food and fiber for the American and global consumer. California is the top agricultural producing region in the world, and it has been since 1867, the last time a California representative held the Chairmanship of the Agriculture Committee. By my estimation, California is due, and I can think of no better individual to lead the Agriculture Committee to help shape U.S. agriculture policy during these perilous
times than Congressman Jim Costa.”
