Agriculture

The San Joaquin Valley is the breadbasket of the world, producing over $24 billion in revenues including milk, grapes, nuts, and a multitude of vegetables and fruits. As a third-generation farmer, Congressman Costa knows of the challenges that farmers and ranchers deal with in labor, trade, and water. He has always said food security is a national security issue, and we must work to strengthen our nation’s food policy.

A long-time champion for California agriculture and farmers, Costa has advocated for fair trade agreements, tackling hunger, market stability, and fixing our supply chains. As a senior member of the House Agriculture Committee, he helped write the 2008, 2014, and 2018 Farm Bills. Costa codified the importance of the Specialty Crop sector in American agriculture by fighting to include Horticulture as its title in the 2008 Farm Bill. He was also instrumental in implementing new programs and funding levels for disaster assistance, agricultural research, conservation, and crop assistance in previous Farm Bills.

In 2009, Costa helped enact the Food Safety Enhancement Act to provide key changes to our nation's food safety network to continue to provide the world's safest food. During the Obama Administration, he brought President Obama, and federal and state officials to the San Joaquin Valley to see the impact firsthand of the drought on farming and rural communities, which authorized a $183 million aid package to support farmers and conserve water resources.

With a strong track record, Costa has brought significant leadership and experience to address the challenges of American agriculture - and it remains his top priority to continue this work in Congress and the upcoming Farm Bill.

Hunger Issues

While the San Joaquin Valley is an agricultural powerhouse, hunger is all too real in our communities. That is why, Costa has worked tirelessly to increase funding and protect nutrition programs like SNAP, and Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), which millions of American seniors and children. Through the American Rescue Plan, he successfully advocated for a 15% increase in benefits for families struggling with food insecurity nationwide.

Costa has fought against harmful SNAP cuts to Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) and Categorical Eligibility that would deny our most vulnerable communities with needed support. In addition, he has been a staunch advocate for global food aid programs like Food for Peace, which has uplifted millions of people who face hunger each day.

Dairy Issues

Growing up on a dairy farm, Costa learned the value of hard work, and the important role agriculture plays in America. In Congress, he is a champion for California’s dairy industry and the nation’s largest dairy producing county, Tulare County.

Through the Farm Bill, he has secured critical assistance for dairy producers, expanded access to dairy products, and established access to new markets, with the launch of the Dairy Business Innovation Initiative at Fresno State. In Congress, he is working to improve opportunities for California’s dairy producers through the COWS Act, which would establish a new manure management conservation program, and the Dairy Nutrition Incentives Nutrition Act  to expand access to dairy products for SNAP recipients.

As Ranking Member of Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry, Costa continues to fight for dairy producers and ensuring Americans can continue to enjoy healthy, nutritious milk.

Supporting Small Farmers

Costa believes we must continue to protect farmlands and preserve access for those looking to open farms, which is why he’s been a longtime supporter of USDA programs like the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), which can help our farms ensure long-term stability without long-term reliance on the government. To build on these efforts, Costa has worked to increase outreach by the Farm Service Agency (FSA) to help Valey farmers access the tools and support they need to thrive.

Agricultural Trade

In 2018, Costa worked in a bipartisan way to negotiate a beneficial deal for American agriculture in the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Serving on the 2018 Farm Bill Conference Committee, he successfully created new programs and secured funding to expand markets, deliver crop assistance, increase environmental stewardship, and feed America's most vulnerable populations.

During the pandemic, Costa designed the framework to provide critical support to farmers, farmworkers, and food-insecure Americans to weather the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. He worked with the Biden Administration to push the Republic of India to successfully remove retaliatory tariffs on almonds, walnuts, apples, and other American products, many of which are grown in the San Joaquin Valley and California.

In 2024, Costa and a bipartisan group of members launched the Agricultural Trade Caucus to advance and promote trade policies vital to U.S. agriculture.