Issue Position: Agriculture

Issue Position

The most important industries in our nation are our Military and our Farmers and Ranchers. The first serve and protect us from without and the others ensure our existence from within our boundaries.

I stand with growers and producers in District 4 in defense of their water rights against attempts by the EPA and other government agencies to expand jurisdiction over water issues. In Yuma there are 200,000 acres of irrigated land and seven irrigation districts, all which rely on the Colorado River.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, if Yuma County were a country, its GDP (Gross Domestic Product) would rank 151 out of 192 countries. Yes, that's countries, and over half of that is from agriculture.

We're blessed with quality soil, a good irrigation system, and a 12-month growing season. As one of the nation's centers of agriculture and ranking in the top 0.1 percent for vegetables, Yuma County is third in the nation in vegetable production. In fact, about 90 percent of all the leafy vegetables grown in the U.S. from November through March are grown in and around the Yuma area.

Agriculture in the Yuma area alone provides over 17,600 full-time equivalent jobs, representing one in five jobs for the County. Also, agriculture and related sectors pay $32.9 million in local and state taxes.

Thank a farmer or rancher today. Chances are they raised the food on your table.

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