From the vineyards to the strawberry fields, the Central Coast is host to world-class agribusiness. Agriculture contributes more than $3.8 billion to our district’s economy and accounts for more than 40,000 local jobs. Our history here at home is deeply rooted in agriculture. It’s more than just an industry. It is a culture—a way of life. Elected officials should be promoting the growth of agriculture by fighting for family farms and ranches at local and federal levels of government.
As a third-generation California rancher, I understand the burdens, rigors, and responsibilities farmers and ranchers face. Failed policies and out-of-touch politicians have made life increasingly difficult to provide our communities with the commodities we’ve all come accustomed to having. I will work with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to rein in policies that stand in the way of growth and commerce. Farmers and ranchers not only feed America, they create jobs. We must work to help them to succeed.
Unfortunately, this is a matter on which my opponent and I greatly differ. For years, he has held an office where he’s supposed to be representing the best interests of our community. In large part, this includes our farmers and ranchers, but he stands against those who provide for our society. He should know the positive impacts that agriculture has on the Central Coast, but his time in Washington has revealed a lack of empathy for the folks who make up the backbone of our region. He has paraded throughout the district presenting a façade of concern for their well-being. Yet in Congress, he has voted 100 percent of the time against matters of importance to the Farm Bureau. When presented an opportunity to stand up for agriculture, he has let them down, nine out of nine times.
In addition, as taxpayers and especially those who are trying to make ends meet, these regulations directly impact us. Production costs are driving up the retail prices of our groceries. In turn, we’re paying more at the grocery store for a gallon of milk and a loaf of bread. The economic and cultural importance of our farms and the farmers who work them cannot and must not be overlooked.
We all know that, in spite of recent rains, we face a water crisis. While this issue affects all of us and all walks of life, it is one of critical importance to local farms and ranches. When provided the chance to support legislation that would modernize water policies, streamline the process for new surface water infrastructure projects, and offer drought relief, Mr. Carbajal voted “no.” When presented with opportunities to help ease burdensome regulations, on multiple occasions, he refused. This is indefensible. The only way we can build for the future, is by changing our representation to Congress.
Congress should sunset old policies and provide for periodic review. This will allow legislators to re-evaluate and separate good from bad policies and ensure that policies are up to date with today’s issues. Furthermore, it would return the responsibility of governance to those elected instead of unelected bureaucrats.
Agriculture changed the trajectory of our history and society as we know it. Thomas Jefferson viewed America as a society based on agrarian values. It was his belief that we would cultivate our vast sums of land and capitalize on harvests and livestock.
For generations, agriculture has taught us more about the importance of sustainability and responsible stewardship of the environment than we ever could have imagined. Since before written history, those who worked the land understood the need for responsible land management.
The Chumash and the Spanish practiced controlled burns and vegetation thinning to protect their way of life from the threat of wildfires. They held in high regard the necessity of a buffer between society and wilderness, a belief many of us in agriculture cling to today. Surprisingly, our representative doesn’t appreciate that sentiment and has voted twice in Congress against responsible land management. An affirmative vote from him would have served to strengthen policies that could prevent or mitigate disasters like the Thomas Fire—the largest fire in California’s recorded history.
I know the importance of providing these farmers and ranchers with the tools they need to ensure that future generations are able to continue the legacy of their family farms. Folks in our community work day and night to provide us with the food we buy every day. They create jobs here on the Central Coast and limit our need to outsource.
As your congressman, I will stand up for family farmers and ranchers to afford them the opportunity to feed our families and create jobs. I will bring our values to the table and deliver results for our agricultural community—the backbone of the Central Coast.
Justin Fareed is a candidate running for U.S. representative of California’s 24th Congressional District as a Republican. He’s also president of the local business Proband Industries, is a third-generation cattle rancher, and has worked for a senior member of Congress. Send your thoughts to letters@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Mar 29 – Apr 5, 2018.