Key Takeaways
- •Rep. David Valadao (R, CA-22) announced the subcommittee received a record 10,000 member requests totaling $1.4 billion for community project funding for the fiscal year 2027 cycle.
- •Kim Schrier and Ruiz advocated for specialty crop funding, while Jim Baird supported research and Jefferson Van Drew requested funds for rural fire trucks and flood control.
- •Jonathan Jackson pressed Rep. David Valadao (R, CA-22) for a commitment to fully fund SNAP, but Valadao declined to commit while the subcommittee is still drafting the bill.
- •Republicans and Democrats found common ground on rural development, but diverged on the urgency of nutrition program funding and the scientific basis for proposed changes to hemp regulations.
- •The subcommittee will evaluate these requests as it prepares to draft the fiscal year 2027 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies appropriations bill.
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Hearing Analysis
Overview
This hearing served as a "Member Day" for the subcommittee to receive testimony from non-committee members regarding their priorities for the fiscal year 2027 appropriations cycle. The session highlighted a record-breaking volume of interest, with Chairman David Valadao (R, CA-22) noting that the subcommittee received nearly 10,000 bipartisan member requests, including $1.4 billion for community project funding. The testimony focused on a broad range of issues, including the strengthening of domestic food supply chains, the expansion of agricultural research, the modernization of rural infrastructure, and the critical need for robust nutrition assistance programs.
Key Testimony & Policy
Witnesses presented a diverse array of funding requests centered on agricultural innovation and social safety nets. Rep. Kim Schrier (D, WA-8) advocated for full funding for the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) and requested $18 million for the Farm to School Grant Program. She also emphasized the importance of the Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) and the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, specifically asking for the Secretary of Agriculture to maintain the authority to waive match requirements for high-value projects. Additionally, she proposed $60 million for school kitchen equipment grants, suggesting the minimum equipment cost threshold be lowered from $5,000 to $1,000 to provide schools more flexibility.
Agricultural research and the "bioeconomy" were central themes for several members. Rep. Jim Baird (R, IN-4) requested $500 million for the Agriculture Food and Research Initiative (AFRI) to address recent funding shortfalls. He and Rep. Mark Messmer (R, IN-8) both spoke in strong support of the BioPreferred Program, which promotes the purchase of bio-based products. Rep. Baird also highlighted the Agriculture Advanced Research and Development Authority (AgARDA), a program modeled after DARPA designed for high-risk, high-reward research. Conversely, Rep. Baird expressed significant concern regarding hemp provisions in the FY 2026 bill, arguing that policy changes should occur through regular order rather than appropriations riders to protect legitimate producers.
Rural infrastructure and public safety were addressed through specific community project requests. Rep. Jefferson Van Drew (R, NJ-2) requested $2.6 million for fire truck replacements through the Rural Facilities Program and $2.7 million for sluice gates in Salem County to mitigate flooding near a major nuclear power plant. Rep. Mike Flood (R, NE-1) requested $16 million for the National Center for Resilient and Regenerative Precision Agriculture at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL). This project, a partnership with the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), aims to close science gaps in precision agriculture and has already received significant state and federal investment.
Nutrition and market access were further championed by Rep. Jonathan Jackson (D, IL-1) and Rep. Raul Ruiz (D, CA-25). Rep. Jackson delivered an impassioned plea for the full funding of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and international aid through Food for Peace. Rep. Ruiz proposed increasing the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP) funding to $350 million annually. He also called for the restoration of the Local Food Purchase Assistance Program and the Local Agriculture Market Program, while urging a formula change for Specialty Crop Block Grants to better support high-density production districts.
Notable Exchanges & Partisan Dynamics
The hearing was largely collegial, as is typical for Member Day sessions where the subcommittee leadership listens to the requests of their colleagues. However, a notable moment occurred during the testimony of Rep. Jonathan Jackson (D, IL-1), who framed the funding of SNAP and TEFAP as a "moral weight" and a test of national character. Following his testimony, Rep. Jackson asked Chairman Valadao for a commitment to these funding levels. Chairman Valadao declined to make an immediate commitment, noting that the subcommittee was still in the early stages of the "process of writing the bill."
Ranking Member Sanford Bishop (D, GA-2) maintained a supportive tone throughout, frequently summarizing the witnesses' requests to ensure they were accurately recorded. He specifically noted the legacy of former Rep. Jeff Fortenberry regarding the precision agriculture project in Nebraska, signaling long-standing bipartisan support for certain regional research initiatives.
Organizations Mentioned
* **United States Department of Agriculture (USDA):** The primary agency discussed throughout the hearing; members requested funding for various USDA sub-agencies and programs including the Rural Facilities Program and BioPreferred. * **Agriculture Advanced Research and Development Authority (AgARDA):** Described as a high-risk, high-reward research entity modeled after DARPA; Rep. Baird requested robust funding to maintain global agricultural leadership. * **University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL):** Mentioned as the site for the National Center for Resilient and Regenerative Precision Agriculture; Rep. Flood requested $16 million for its continued construction. * **Center for Veterinary Biologics (CVB):** Discussed by Rep. Messmer regarding the need for more staff to reduce review times for animal vaccines against diseases like bird flu and African swine fever. * **Agricultural Research Service (ARS):** Mentioned in the context of its partnership with land-grant universities to staff and manage new research facilities. * **Purdue University:** Cited by Rep. Baird as a leader in agricultural research and innovation within his district. * **Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS):** Mentioned by Rep. Messmer in relation to supporting veterinary vaccine development and animal health. * **Operation Breadbasket:** Referenced by Ranking Member Bishop when discussing Rep. Jackson’s advocacy for nutrition programs and feeding the hungry.
What's Next
The subcommittee will now move into the formal drafting phase of the fiscal year 2027 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies appropriations bill. Chairman Valadao indicated that the subcommittee would review the nearly 10,000 member requests and $1.4 billion in community project funding applications as they determine final allocation levels. No specific date was set for the subcommittee markup, but the testimony provided will inform the initial draft of the legislation.
Transcript
...munities across the country. Your input will be critical as we work to fund the agencies under the subcommittee's jurisdiction. I look forward to working with Ranking Member Bishop and our subcommittee colleagues to accommodate these priorities as best as we can as the fiscal year 2027 appropriations process moves forward. I would note that the Agriculture Subcommittee has received nearly 10,000 bipartisan member requests this year, including $1.4 billion for community project funding. I believe this is a new record, and it highlights the importance and bipartisan support for the programs that keep our food, drug, and medical devices safe while also supporting America's farmers, ranchers, and rural communities. Thank you again for taking time out of your busy schedule to speak with us today and for bringing these issues that are important to your community to our attention. Ranking Member Bishop, I yield to you for any opening remarks you'd like to make.
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