Rep. Jim Costa speaks during a House Agriculture Committee hearing on May 23. Ranking Member Rep. David Scott is on the right. Photo via House Agriculture Committee flickr page.

A pair of locally based farm associations have weighed in on Rep. Jim Costa’s bid to serve as ranking member of the House Agriculture Committee.

The Fresno Democrat in the 21^st District announced his intention last week to replace the committee’s Ranking Member Rep. David Scott (D-Georgia), who has been absent due to health problems.

The Fresno-based California Fresh Fruit Association and Exeter-based California Citrus Mutual have both endorsed Costa for the ranking member position in the next congress. The senior member from the minority party has a role in shaping the committee’s agenda with the majority chairperson.

Both organizations pointed to Costa’s record supporting agriculture and rural communities.

“Congressman Costa has been a strong advocate for U.S. agricultural exports and has played an essential role in maintaining and expanding foreign market access,” said California Fresh Fruit Association Chairperson Melissa Frank in a statement. “His involvement in key international trade partnerships has enhanced U.S. agriculture’s position on the global stage. His ability to navigate complex trade issues is critical in ensuring that American products remain competitive worldwide.”

The California Fresh Fruit Association is comprised of more than 300 members — growers, shippers and marketers of fresh grapes, blueberries and tree fruit and associate members.

For the California Citrus Mutual — a voluntary, nonprofit trade association representing citrus growers — their endorsement came down to Costa’s attention to key industry issues, including invasive pests that lead to a destructive plant disease called citrus greening.

“Congressman Costa has always been a dedicated advocate for our industry,” said Casey Creamer, president and CEO of California Citrus Mutual. “His deep understanding of the challenges we face—ranging from citrus greening and trade issues to the need for effective crop protection tools and ongoing research—has been invaluable. We are confident that his leadership as Ranking Member will continue to benefit citrus growers across California.”

Costa is a 20-year member of the House Agriculture Committee, which establishes federal farm policy with jurisdiction over agriculture, forestry, water conservation and nutrition programs that feed an average of 42.1 million participants a month with a $115 billion price tag.

“With the incoming return of Donald Trump to the Presidency, our Caucus needs a leader who will fight to protect the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), defend the historic investments we made through the Inflation Reduction Act, and bring a strong Democratic message back to rural America,” Costa said in his announcement last week.

Among the major pieces of legislation facing the next Congress and House Agriculture Committee will be the farm bill. The last time it was updated was in 2018, and that legislation expired on Sept. 30. The result is a state of limbo for various programs including market access support, animal health programs, specialty crop grants and some conservation projects.

Another Democrat is vying to replace Rep. Scott as House Agriculture Committee ranking member. Minnesota Rep. Angie Craig, first elected to Congress in 2018, is also running for the position.

Scott, who is expected to return to Congress next week after being treated for back ailments, was the House Agriculture Committee’s first Black chairman in 2020.