Press Release
Posted:
Napa – Today, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04) announced he was presented the American Farm Bureau Federation’s “Friend of Farm Bureau” award by Shannon Douglass, President of the California State Farm Bureau, for his outstanding service to support farmers, growers, and producers during the 118th Congress.
“The American agriculture community powers our economy, and their work is vital to the success of our country,” said Thompson. “I am honored to receive the Friend of Farm Bureau Award from the American Farm Bureau Federation. I look forward to continuing to work with leaders of our agriculture community to deliver economic success for every grower, producer, and farmer.
"Congressman Thompson’s strong partnership with county Farm Bureaus and his unwavering support for disaster assistance have been invaluable to our agricultural communities," said California Farm Bureau President, Shannon Douglass. "His commitment to securing essential aid for California farmers and ranchers—many of whom have faced devastating losses from recent storms and wildfires—has made a lasting impact. We are proud to honor him with the Friend of Farm Bureau award for his continued dedication to strengthening California agriculture."
"I've seen Congressman Thompson stand up, consistently, in support of agriculture in his district and across California. It is fitting, and deserved, for California to recognize him as this year's Friend of the Farm Bureau. I admire his service, and am honored we could include this award as part of Napa Farm Bureau's event,” said Napa County Farm Bureau CEO, Peter Rumble.
Rep. Thompson has always worked and continues to work to deliver for the 4th Congressional District’s agriculture communities. Some recent highlights of his work for farmers, growers, and producers include:
- Authored the legislation that created the Emergency Relief Program (formerly known as WHIP+) and has introduced legislation to permanently reauthorize the program to provide direct payments to producers for crop losses due to smoke exposure, wildfire, drought or other natural disasters.
- Voted to pass the Inflation Reduction Act, which made historic investments to help the agriculture community deal with the effects of climate change:
- $5 billion in strategic forestry investments
- $21.25 billion in strategic conservation investment
- $13.265 billion in rural development investments
- $4 billion for drought relief in the 7 reclamation states, including California
- Secured $1.2 million for UC Davis to conduct research on the impact of smoke exposure on crops.
- Worked to help establish the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Risk Management Agency’s (RMA) new pilot crop insurance program to help California grape growers protect against losses incurred due to smoke exposure. He has introduced legislation to make the program permanent.