Agriculture

California’s 21st Congressional District sits at the heart of the San Joaquin Valley, one of the most productive agricultural regions in the world, generating over $24 billion annually in dairy, nuts, fruits, and vegetables. As a third-generation family farmer, Congressman Jim Costa understands firsthand the challenges our producers face, from drought and water shortages to labor, trade, and market volatility, and has built a reputation in Washington as one of the strongest voices for American agriculture.

As a senior member of the House Agriculture Committee, he helped write the 2008, 2014, and 2018 Farm Bills. In 2008, he played a pivotal role in passing the Farm Bill over a presidential veto and secured the first-ever Horticulture title, giving California’s specialty crops long-overdue recognition in national farm policy. At the height of California’s drought crisis, Costa led efforts to secure $183 million in federal drought relief after bringing President Obama to the Valley to witness the crisis firsthand. He modernized food safety through the Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009 and reformed dairy programs in the 2014 Farm Bill, creating the Dairy Margin Coverage Program (DMC).

Serving on the 2018 Farm Bill Conference Committee, he fought to enhance funding for conservation programs like the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) and Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), which help our farmers preserve their farmland. To build on these efforts, Costa has worked to increase outreach by the Farm Service Agency (FSA) to help farmers access the tools and support they need to thrive. Recognizing the importance of trade to California’s economy,  he worked across the aisle with U.S. Trade Representatives, congressional leadership, and industry stakeholders to shape amendments that made the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). In 2022, Costa founded the bipartisan Agricultural Trade Caucus and worked with President Biden to successfully remove retaliatory tariffs on major crops like almonds, walnuts, and apples, reopening critical export markets for farmers in the San Joaquin Valley. 

California’s 21st District produces $24 billion in crops each year, yet nearly 30% of residents rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)—the highest rate in the state. Congressman Jim Costa has fought to protect and expand SNAP, opposing deep cuts, increasing food bank funding through the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), and championing legislation to aid disabled veterans, food-insecure college students, and hungry families. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, he championed the American Rescue Plan, delivering financial aid, SNAP benefits, and Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) to farmers and farmworkers. Costa helped deliver a 15% boost in SNAP benefits and expanded Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) to support families and college students struggling with food insecurity. Beyond legislation, Costa works closely with local food banks and community groups to ensure that in the region that feeds the world, every family has food on the table.