Aug 07, 2026

Advocacy   |   Agriculture U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee Marks Up Farm Bill 2.0

On August 6, the Senate Agriculture Committee marked up the Agricultural Act of 2026, but a motion to report the bill failed 10- 11. Rather than adjourn the meeting, Chairman John Boozman (R-AR) recessed the Committee, subject to the call of the Chair, preserving the option to hold another vote after the August recess

Jul 31, 2026

Advocacy   |   Agriculture Senate Agriculture Committee Plans Farm Bill Markup Next Week

This week, Senate Agriculture Committee Chair John Boozman (R-AR) stated that he expects to mark up the Senate Farm Bill by August 6

May 01, 2026

Advocacy   |   Agriculture Bill of the Week: Assembly Bill 2447 (Bauer-Kahan) – Nitrogen and Water Quality

RCRC, along with stakeholders from agriculture, public agencies, and the business community, opposes Assembly Bill 2447, authored by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda). This measure seeks to greatly increase

Mar 27, 2026

Advocacy   |   Agriculture Congressman David Valadao Appointed to Serve on House Agriculture Committee

On March 25, House Committee on Agriculture Chairman, Glenn “GT” Thompson (D-PA), announced that Representative David Valadao (R-Hanford) has been appointed to the House Committee on Agriculture. Representative Valadao is

Mar 13, 2026

Advocacy   |   Agriculture Farm Bill Path Uncertain as Senate Weighs House Framework

The farm bill continues to face an unclear road forward, even as the House Agriculture Committee voted 34-17 on March 5 to advance a new five-year bill.

May 30, 2025

Advocacy   |   Agriculture Bill of the Week:  AB 1156 (Wicks) Williamson Act: Solar-Use Easements

Assembly Bill 1156, authored by Assembly Member Buffy Wicks (D, Oakland), seeks to update a law allowing solar use easements on Williamson Act lands, thereby putting unproductive farmland to use for renewable energy generation. RCRC has removed its opposition to the bill and now supports the measure

Mar 21, 2025

Advocacy   |   Agriculture U.S. Senators Ask USDA to Reverse Canceled Local Food Purchases for Schools, Farmers 

This week, Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA) led a group of 31 Senators in a letter that voiced “serious concerns” about the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s cancelation of food purchase programs across the United States. They noted

Mar 14, 2025

Advocacy   |   Agriculture Congress Introduces Bicameral Legislation to Improve Access to Agricultural Disaster Relief

On March 12, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Thom Tillis (R-NC), along with Representatives Jimmy Panetta (D-Monterey), Kat Cammack (R-FL-03), Zoe Lofgren (D-Monterey), and Austin Scott (R-GA-08), announced bipartisan, bicameral legislation to improve access to federal agriculture disaster programs.

Mar 07, 2025

Advocacy   |   Agriculture Secretary Rollins Previews Her Vision for Restoring Rural Prosperity at NACo

On March 4, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins delivered remarks to hundreds of local leaders at the National Association of Counties Legislative Conference in Washington DC…

Nov 22, 2024

Advocacy   |   Agriculture USDA Announces More than $2 Billion to Strengthen Specialty Crops Sector, Expand Crop Storage for Producers Following 2024 Natural Disasters

On November 19, 2024, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the creation of new programs that will help farmers who grow fruits, vegetables, and nuts overcome market barriers for their products, and help producers access necessary...