Working together with Western Growers and our member farmers, what are some of your proudest accomplishments in helping advance the fresh produce industry? One of the best parts of representing Colorado is learning from people like Robert Sakata and Glenn Hirakata about what our growers, farmers, ranchers, and producers need to sustain their operations—and continue to strengthen our Western economy. They’ve taught me a lot about trade policy and the challenges the agricultural community faces with our broken immigration system. I have heard from fruit and vegetable producers across Colorado about how extreme weather and widespread, long- term drought conditions have devastated their operations. That’s why I’ve worked with Coloradans and my colleagues in Washington in a bipartisan way to support innovative approaches to climate resilience and drought resilience. In the 2014 Farm Bill, I helped write the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), which has funded multiple projects in Colorado, including in the Upper Colorado Headwaters and in the Lower Gunnison. In the 2018 Farm Bill, I worked with former Senator Cory Gardner to expand funding for voluntary water conservation efforts through USDA conservation programs. While this was a good start, there is still more to do when it comes to water infrastructure, drought resilience, and forest health. I’m proud of the bipartisan work I’ve done with the agricultural community in Colorado to write the 2014 and 2018 Farm Bill. Together, we made critical investments in Colorado agriculture, conserved land and water, and provided new opportunities for rural economic growth. As we prepare for the 2023 Farm Bill, I look forward to hosting more Farm Bill listening sessions across Colorado. I’ve learned so much from these conversations. Please don’t feel like you have to wait for a listening session to reach out to our office. I encourage you to reach out to our office any time. You can visit www.bennet.senate. gov to write our office and locate a phone number for our Washington office or our regional offices across Colorado.
Sandstone Ranch Visit (January 2021)
Recession. I had little experience with how Washington worked, having spent the years prior serving as superintendent of Denver Public Schools. Over the past decade, my expectations have been thwarted by the level of dysfunction and mindless partisanship in Washington. Since joining the Senate, I’ve focused on doing what’s best for Colorado and the country. I’ve worked across the aisle—from drafting comprehensive immigration reform to passing two Farm Bills that addressed the needs growers, farmers, ranchers, and producers in the West—but Washington has failed to respond to the will of the American people. Washington has failed to invest in the next generation. I am hopeful that as we bridge our way out of the public health and economic crisis Congress can work together to unite the country and earn the confidence of the American people by responding to their needs.
Gunnison County Agriculture Land Easement Site Visits (August 2020)
34
MAY | JUNE 2 021
Western Grower & Shipper | www.wga.com
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator