Press Release
Posted:
Woodland, CA – Wednesday, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04) was joined by Rep. John Garamendi (CA-08) and House Committee on Agriculture member, Rep. Jim Costa (CA-21) for a roundtable meeting with local farmers, ranchers, processors, and ag leaders to discuss the ag community’s needs and how Congress can help deliver for them.
“Agriculture is not just an industry in California — our ag community is the backbone of our economy and the heart of our communities.” said Thompson. “Right now, our ag community needs support. Tariffs are hammering farmers, ranchers, and processors. Not to mention the regulatory burdens, water issues, and infrastructure needs that urgently need to be addressed. Thank you to Rep. Costa, Rep. Garamendi, and every ag community member who showed up to discuss with us their needs and how Congress can help. It’s past time Congress pass a Farm Bill 2.0 that feeds our communities and meets the tremendous needs of our agriculture community.”
“Great to join Rep. Mike Thompson, Rep. John Garamendi, and leaders of our agricultural community for this critical conversation. Farmers, ranchers, and dairymen and women are paying the price for this administration’s irresponsible agricultural trade policies and Congress must intervene to make things right and ensure our agricultural community can thrive. Thanks to everyone who joined us to make your voices heard,” said Congressman Costa.
“Proud to stand with a true leader of California farmers, Congressman Mike Thompson. I thank him for holding this roundtable, and I also thank Congressman Jim Costa and everyone else who participated in this incredibly important discussion about the immense pressures on the agriculture industry due to Donald Trump’s harmful policies, unnecessary tariffs, and cuts to food assistance. California is America’s garden basket, and I’m proud to stand with Rep. Mike Thompson, who has always championed commonsense policies that give California farmers a solid foundation for success,” said Rep. Garamendi.
The representatives were joined by over 50 guests, including members of the California Farm Bureau, Sacramento Farm Bureau, Napa Farm Bureau, Yolo Farm Bureau, Solano Farm Bureau, Colusa Farm Bureau, and Yuba-Sutter Farm Bureau and ag researchers from UC Davis, almond farmers, grape growers, peach growers, cattle ranchers, ag finance professionals, and others in the ag community.
BACKGROUND
California lost 400 farms in 2025 as growers, ranchers, producers, and processors faced rising operational costs and a shortage of workers largely caused by the President’s policies on immigration and his international trade war. These challenges come at a time when the ag community is already facing challenges accessing water and navigating regulations.
A long-time representative of rural ag communities and founder and co-chair of the Congressional Wine Caucus, Rep. Thompson recently introduced the Specialty Crop & Wine Producer Tariff Relief Act, legislation to provide direct support to specialty crop growers and wine producers facing economic losses from tariffs.
Read more about his work for the ag community here.