Water and energy are scarce. We face unfair trade practices. Government regulations threaten to plow family farmers under. Farmers are fighting to hold on. It is not a pretty picture for an industry that provides high-quality food, fiber, flowers and forest products for 34 million Californians and millions more across the nation.
Agriculture is woven into the fabric of our state's towns and cities.
When agriculture suffers, Main Street suffers, too. Today's event publicizes our plight, but we need action and support, not sympathy. We need tax relief. I want to thank Assemblymember Dennis Cardoza for organizing today's event. He understands our problems.