Rep. Adam Gray Questions Sec. Rollins on USDA Budget Cuts to Ag Research and Farmer Support

Concerns Over USDA Budget Proposal

• 🎯 Representative Adam Gray highlights the importance of agricultural output from California's Central Valley, which produces over $59 billion annually and accounts for one in four bites of food consumed by Americans.
• 💡 Gray emphasizes that research and innovation are crucial for maintaining competitiveness and resilience in the face of challenges like water scarcity and climate risk.
• ⚠️ He expresses concern that the USDA's 2025 budget proposal includes millions in cuts to agricultural research and farmer support, contrasting this with increased investment by countries like China and Brazil.

Impact of Research and Innovation

• 🔬 Institutions like UC Merced and Merced College are leading in AGTech workforce initiatives and cutting-edge smart farm research, supported by federal and state investments.
• 🚀 This research leads to advancements in irrigation systems, pest and drought-resilient crops, and carbon-smart techniques that benefit agriculture nationwide.
• 🌍 Falling behind in innovation is framed as a threat to American agriculture's global standing and to food security, which is linked to national security.

Secretary Rollins' Response and Commitments

• 💬 Secretary Brooke Rollins acknowledges the importance of the points raised and states that the USDA budget proposal only cut about 7% from agricultural research, specifically targeting outdated facilities.
• 🌱 She affirms the administration's commitment to research and the work of land-grant universities, emphasizing its importance for national security.
• 🤝 Secretary Rollins accepts Representative Gray's invitation to visit his district in the San Joaquin Valley to witness firsthand the innovation and production in the region.