Family Farm Alliance testifies during drought forum

The Family Farm Alliance, Klamath Falls, Oregon, and several of its members and allies testified remotely at a Republican forum titled “How Western Drought Affects Every American” on May 11. The forum was led by House Committee on Natural Resources Ranking Member Bruce Westerman (R-Ariz.).

“While much of the West continues to suffer through a multi-year drought, Americans nationwide are experiencing record food prices due to drought and other factors,” says Westerman. “American consumers depend on food produced from irrigated agriculture, especially in California, which normally yields the majority of fruits, vegetables and nuts that are sold domestically at American grocery stores and serve as valuable commodities in international markets.”

The panel of Republican members invited witnesses from their districts to testify during the forum, who included:
• Paul Arrington, executive director and general counsel, Idaho Water Users Association, Idaho
• Mike Britton, executive director, North Unit Irrigation District, Oregon
• Bill Diedrich, owner, Diedrich Farms, California
• Kent Holsinger, attorney, Holsinger Law LLC, Colorado
• Dan Keppen, executive director, Family Farm Alliance
• Miles Kuschel, Minnesota Farm Bureau, Minnesota
• David Guy, Northern California Water Association, California
• Scott Paxman, Weber Basin Water Conservancy District, Utah
• Nichole Rolf, national affairs director, Montana Farm Bureau Federation, Montana
• Doug Verboon, board of supervisors, County of Kings, California
Discussed topics included sites reservoir and delta outflow requirements in California, population growth in Utah and the complexities of addressing federal regulatory requirements on water projects, and the importance of irrigation modernization projects underway in Central Oregon.

“Agricultural production in the West is an irreplaceable, strategic national resource that is vital to U.S. food security, the ecosystem and overall drought resilience,” says Keppen. “The role of the federal government in the 21st century should be to protect and enhance that resource by doing whatever it can to ensure that water remains on farms.”

Read more about the Family Farm Alliance.