The Arizona Farm Bureau highlighted how Sinema’s work will alleviate agricultural challenges caused by the ongoing drought
WASHINGTON – Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema met with representatives from the Arizona Farm Bureau to discuss the needs and priorities of Arizona’s agricultural industry in light of the ongoing drought, recent water cutbacks, and the upcoming 2023 Farm Bill.
During the meeting, the Arizona Farm Bureau presented Sinema with the “Friend of the Farm Bureau” award – a distinction she has earned twice before for her work supporting Arizona’s agriculture and, most recently, securing historic investments for drought resilience in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs law and Inflation Reduction law.
“I’m grateful to hear about how we can continue partnering with Arizona’s farmers, ranchers, and agricultural leaders to deliver lasting results addressing the ongoing drought so they can continue growing and fueling our economy. I’m incredibly humbled to receive the Friend of the Farm Bureau award – and I look forward to continuing our partnership as we boost Arizona’s agricultural industry so it can continue to thrive for years to come,” said Sinema, co-author and lead negotiator of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs law.
Per the 2007 Interim Guidelines and Drought Contingency Plan, Arizona will see a reduction of 592,000 acre-feet of Colorado River water next year, and Sinema has repeatedly heard concerns from farmers throughout the state about future water reductions. As it stands, Pinal County farmers are positioned to be among those hit hardest by the Drought Contingency Plan Tier 1 cuts, losing almost all of their Central Arizona Project water allocations. Last month, Sinema successfully secured a historic $4 billion for drought mitigation across the American West in the Senate-passed Inflation Reduction Act. Last year, Sinema co-authored and led negotiations for the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs law, which makes historic investments in drought resilience.
During the meeting, representatives from the Arizona Farm Bureau thanked Sinema for her solutions-based approach in delivering drought resilience funding for Colorado River Basin states to address ongoing drought conditions, which are the worst they’ve been in 1,200 years.
In August, Sinema held a roundtable with Arizona farmers and ranchers from the Arizona Farm Bureau in Pinal County to discuss their priorities as she shapes the 2023 Farm Bill and implements the historic investments for the region from her bipartisan infrastructure law. In February, Sinema also hosted a roundtable discussion with Arizona farmers, ranchers, and agriculture leaders from the Arizona Farm Bureau on their infrastructure priorities.