Adam Schiff Questions Dudley Hoskins on Commodity Procurement Program Opportunities

Role of USDA Experts in California Agriculture

• 💡 USDA experts play a crucial role in the success of California's specialty crop industry, complementing the efforts of hardworking farmers.
• 🔬 Agencies like APHIS protect growers from diseases such as citrus greening, while ARS researches irrigation efficiency in orchards.
• 🤝 The partnership with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is essential and indispensable for APHIS's plant pest and animal disease surveillance and response activities.

Importance of Federal Agencies and Research

• 🌎 Federal agencies and USDA research, alongside the University of California and local bodies, have significantly impacted California's agricultural success.
• 💧 Developing methods and technologies for drought tolerance has been critically important for the state's agriculture.

Reducing Barriers in Commodity Procurement

• 🎯 The commodity procurement program, specifically the Section 32 authority at AMS, aims to facilitate surplus removal.
• ⚖️ Complexities arise from federal procurement acts and cascading regulations that vendors must navigate to access the program.
• 🤝 If confirmed, Dudley Hoskins commits to working with Senator Schiff's office and the committee to reduce impediments to participation for producers of all sizes in the commodity procurement program.