Rep. Jim Costa speaks during a House Agriculture Committee hearing on May 23, 2024. Photo via House Agriculture Committee flickr page.

The House passed a $390 billion farm bill Thursday after three years of delays. It includes $50 million in assistance for specialty crops — fruits, vegetables and nuts — that dominate Central Valley agriculture.

Rep. Jim Costa (D-Fresno) is a member of the House Agriculture Committee, which advanced the once-every-five-years spending bill to the House floor in March. Costa said in a statement that the “Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026” secures $30 million for specialty crop research, $20 million for specialty crop automation research and doubles funding for the foreign market access program.

Costa, Gray vote ‘yes’

The House passed the farm bill on a vote of 224-200, with Democrats largely opposed to the measure due to permanent cuts to food assistance, among other reasons. Only 14 Democrats voted in favor of the legislation, including Costa and Rep. Adam Gray of Merced).

“I will keep working across the aisle to reverse harmful cuts to nutrition programs because in the richest country in the world, children, veterans, seniors, and working families should never be left wondering how they will put food on the table,” Costa said in a statement Thursday.

Wins, priorities

Costa said he helped secure other beneficial inclusions, including programs to help dairies make conservation upgrades and aid for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants to afford dairy products.

Costa said he will continue to seek changes to protect SNAP and Proposition 12, a California law that established more humane conditions for pork, veal and egg production. The farm bill would nullify California’s Proposition 12 pork production standards.

The legislation directs farm spending through 2031. It now goes to the Senate.

Navigating challenges

The Fresno-based California Fresh Fruit Association commended passage of the bill, acknowledging investments in research, trade promotion, pest and disease prevention and conservation programs, according to a news release.

“These provisions are especially vital as growers navigate rising production costs, increasing global competition and ongoing supply chain challenges,” according to the release.

The National Grain and Feed Association also applauded passage of the farm bill, which includes full reauthorization of the U.S. Grain Standards Act. The act “ensures continuity for the federal grain inspection and weighing system that underpins domestic and international confidence in U.S. grain,” according to a news release.

MAHA conflict

An amendment that would have protected pesticide makers from thousands of lawsuits related to cancer risk was removed from the final bill. The vote is considered a win for Make America Healthy Again (MAHA)-aligned lawmakers opposed to pesticide use. Gray was one of six Democrats who voted to keep the pesticide language in the bill, Politico reported.