Representative TJ Cox Secured Provisions that Would Provide Funding for Parlier Agriculture Research Center

TJC talking to researcher at Parlier research center
July 24, 2020
Press Release

This week, the House began voting on a series of “minibus” bills to fund the government for fiscal year 2021. Rep. TJ Cox has been fighting for Central Valley priorities that are often ignored in the funding process, ensuring that taxpayer dollars return to the Valley to fund the federal programs critical to rural communities.  California’s Central Valley is a leading producer of the fruits, vegetables, and dairy that feeds the entire country and the world, and Rep. Cox has been fighting since day one to ensure that Central Valley agriculture gets the funding it deserves for its contributions. 

The San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center is part of the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) which is the research branch of the United States Department of Agriculture. A top priority of Rep. Cox is for more research funding to be available for ARS stations, like the one based in Parlier, to ensure the Central Valley has the best technology available to combat pests and diseases that threatens specialty crop producers. 

“In order for the Central Valley to succeed, agriculture needs to thrive. After visiting the Parlier ARS station in January, I learned first-hand the importance of funding agricultural research to help our agriculture thrive in the changing climate”, said Rep. Cox. “That is why I am pushing for Congress to increase federal funding for Horticultural trade because it is critical for Valley farms. I am honored to work on behalf of all our farmers, ranchers, and everyone in the Central Valley whose job depends on Agriculture. I pledge to continue to fight for better resources for our farmers and ranchers, and investment in our rural communities.” 

Rep. Cox pushed for the Funding Agreement to provide funding for the USDA-ARS to: 

  • Provide $1 million for ARS stations, 
  • Benefit stations such as the ARS station in Parlier, California, 
  • Ensure ARS has the means to conduct research on postharvest methyl bromide alternatives as well as postharvest losses caused by diseases and physiological disorders, and  
  • Ensure that high-quality, pest-free goods can access markets effectively.   
Issues: 
Agriculture