ensures all Americans are fed, advocates for rural America and maintains competitive markets for agriculture around the world."The Committee on Agriculture should reflect the changing landscape of agriculture in the United States,” Costa said. "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 serves as chairman of the Subcommittee on Livestock and Foreign Agriculture in the 116th Congress and is third in seniority on the committee. He has played a significant role on the Agriculture Committee since he first joined in 2005, including serving 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. “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 resides in the heart of California’s farm and ranch country. The district includes both urban and rural areas in Fresno, Madera, and Merced counties, which account for approximately 25 percent of the State’s agricultural production. The District is the third largest milk producing region in the country, and the third largest producer of fruits and nuts. Also, approximately 25 percent of the residents are enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). A moderate Democrat, he has a longstanding bipartisan track record of bringing people together to solve problems.
Source: Congressman Jim Costa
