HONORING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF WESTERN GROWERS

On 2026-05-13, Representative Jim Costa (D-CA-21) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF WESTERN GROWERS" in the House.

HONORING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF WESTERN GROWERS

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 81 (Wednesday, May 13, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 81 (Wednesday, May 13, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E442-E443] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF WESTERN GROWERS ______ HON. JIM COSTA of california in the house of representatives Wednesday, May 13, 2026 Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today along with my colleagues, Representative David G. Valadao, Representative John Garamendi, Representative Mike Thompson, Representative Vince Fong, Representative Salud Carbajal, Representative Dan Newhouse, Representative Adam Gray, Representative Zoe Lofgren, Representative, Josh Harder, Representative Glenn ``GT'' Thompson, Representative Gabe Evans, Representative Ken Calvert, Representative Jeff Hurd, Representative Julia Brownley, Representative Raul Ruiz, M.D., Representative Adelita S. Grijalva, and Representative Jimmy Panetta to recognize and honor the 100th anniversary of Western Growers for a century of commitment to western agriculture through advocacy and support, resulting in stronger unification and resilience for the industry that provides fresh fruits, vegetables, and tree nuts for our Nation. Western Growers was founded on March 6, 1926, with the goal to manage and challenge mounting regulatory and transportation pressures. This kind of advocacy set a precedent of adaptive and robust support designed to keep its members competitive and profitable. For 100 years, Western Growers has been a steadfast voice for agriculture in state and national political arenas--championing policies that protect and advance the fresh produce industry. To bolster its commitment to political alignment and advocacy, Western Growers established a presence in key political centers, opening offices in: Sacramento, California in 1980; Phoenix, Arizona in 1985; and Washington, D.C. in 2007. These offices have enabled Western Growers to develop valuable relationships with state and federal officials and agencies and navigate policies impacting the day-to-day farming operations of its members across our respective states. By maintaining a constant presence where decisions are made, the organization has positioned itself as both a trusted advisor and a formidable advocate for the agricultural community. The legislative success of Western Growers on behalf of the agriculture industry can be attributed to the persistence and tenacity of its team of professionals. This includes expanding the specialty crop share within the Farm Bill, securing millions of dollars toward Western water infrastructure, leading negotiations for agricultural workforce reform, and elevating the need for improved federal pesticide and food safety policies to better account for fresh produce realities. The century mark is a further testament to a commitment to longevity, and decades of looking ahead to foresee and mitigate challenges. Western Growers has repeatedly strived to match the resiliency and adaptability demonstrated by the agricultural stewards it represents by expanding its expertise and support throughout the organization. The in- [[Page E443]] house Science and Innovation programs are particular points of pride as they focus on driving practical, scalable solutions in ag technology, sustainability, crop protection science, and food safety. Elsewhere, the H-2A services program provides critical support to growers navigating the complexities of agricultural labor and workforce management. Generations of producers also benefit from Western Growers' exceptional member services through its health and commercial insurance solutions, retirement security, legal counsel, employee training resources and more. Growth has not been limited to programs alone. In the past decade, Western Growers expanded its geographic reach by bringing Colorado and New Mexico into its membership footprint, further strengthening its influence across the western United States. This expansion reflects a vision of unifying diverse agricultural regions under a shared mission: advancing the viability and competitiveness of U.S. specialty crop producers. Mr. Speaker, we ask our colleagues to join us in celebrating Western Growers for 100 years of unwavering support for western agriculture and its goal to champion and strengthen an irreplaceable and vital industry that supplies fresh and healthy food to our Nation's population. ____________________