Rep. Vince Fong (R-Bakersfield) and the Fresno County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) hosted a Good Jobs Roundtable in April 2025 with special guest U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer at Wawona Frozen Foods in Clovis. Photo by Frank Lopez

A Central Valley representative in Congress is part of an initiative to support the tech side of the agriculture industry.

Rep. Vice Fong (R-Bakersfield) announced the launch of Modern Agriculture Caucus, a new initiative advancing innovation and technology in American farming.

It will be led by Chairman Adrian Smith (R-NE), with Reps. Frank Lucas (R-OK), Brad Finstad (R-MN), Erin Houchin (R-KS) and Rob Bresnahan (R-PA) serving as vice chairs.

Fong will serve as vice chair for smart irrigation, helping lead efforts to modernize water use and efficiency in agriculture.

Fong said he honored to serve in the caucus, noting that his district is the food-producing capital of the state.

“As technology advances, we must leverage innovation to strengthen our agriculture industry in my state and across the nation,” Fong said in a statement. “With Western farmers facing increasingly volatile water cycles, driving smart, sustainable practices through the Modern Ag Caucus is essential. I’m committed to advancing cutting-edge solutions that improve water efficiency — helping our farmers not just grow more food, but thrive for generations to come.”

The Modern Agriculture Caucus supports and advances cutting-edge practices to increase food production, improve farm efficiency, and strengthen the U.S.’s leadership in global food security, according to a news release.

“I see great opportunity to bring awareness and support to innovative efforts of American farmers and ranchers feeding and fueling the world. As Nebraska’s third district leads the Nation in agricultural production, I’ve seen first-hand the benefit modern agriculture practices provide for both producers and consumers,” said Chair Smith. “Through this caucus, we will champion policy which promotes cutting-edge technologies, stewardship of our natural resources, as well as the development and protection of U.S. agricultural innovation and intellectual property.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins said the Trump administration and Congress realize how crucial agricultural innovation and technology are to farming.

“This is why we are blessed as a nation with a safe, nutritious, and abundant food supply. I look forward to working with Congress and this new caucus to advance key agricultural priorities that improve the economic and production capacity of our agricultural sector. When our farmers and ranchers have the innovative tools to succeed, rural America prospers and our whole country benefits,” Rollins said.