Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last week, Members of the Western Caucus and their staff attended an agriculture and water field tour in Bakersfield, California. The field tour was hosted by Rep. David Valadao (CA-22), with participation from Vice Chair Jay Obernolte (CA-23) and Reps. Burgess Owens (UT-04), Russ Fulcher (ID-01), and John Duarte (CA-13).

Congressional Western Caucus Members participated in a working breakfast hosted by Rep. Valadao and Vice Chair Obernolte to learn more about an all-of-the-above energy approach and the challenges with limiting America's energy potential.

Members then participated in a House Energy and Commerce Committee field hearing on precision agriculture, rural broadband, and the challenges facing undersubscribed areas.

Members had a chance to hear from local officials from the Central Valley about the importance of investment in broadband to expand access to farmers and small businesses in rural communities.

Later in the day, Members and staff toured Tasteful Selections to learn more about their production agriculture operations in the Central Valley.

Immediately following the tour, Western Caucus Members saw firsthand the production facility of the world's largest grower, producer, and shipper of carrots, Grimmway Farms.

To wrap up the field tour, the group was briefed by staff from the Friant Water Authority about water access, storage, and management in the Central Valley.