The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“IN RECOGNITION OF JEFF HUCKABY BEING NAMED THE ORGANIC TRADE ASSOCIATION'S ORGANIC FARMER OF THE YEAR” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Agriculture was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E672-E673 on July 23, 2020.
The Department is primarily focused on food nutrition, with assistance programs making up 80 percent of its budget. Downsizing the Federal Government, a project aimed at lowering taxes and boosting federal efficiency, said the Department implements too many regulations and restrictions and impedes the economy.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
IN RECOGNITION OF JEFF HUCKABY BEING NAMED THE ORGANIC TRADE
ASSOCIATION'S ORGANIC FARMER OF THE YEAR
______
HON. TJ COX
of california
in the house of representatives
Thursday, July 23, 2020
Mr. COX of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Jeff Huckaby, President of Grimmway Farms and Cal Organic, for being named the Organic Trade Association's Organic Farmer of the Year.
A fourth-generation farmer, Jeff was born and raised in the small town of Arvin in the southernmost tip of California's Central Valley. He began farming at the age of 11 when he would wake up at the crack of dawn to help on his grandfather's farm. Jeff began his career with Grimmway in 1999 and it wasn't long before he started his work with organic farming. In 2000, as farm manager, he took over all of Grimmway's organic production in California. Jeff would also become general manager of Cal Organic Farms after its purchase by Grimmway in 2001.
Under his guidance and leadership, Grimmway's Cal Organic has grown to be the largest carrot company in the world and the largest organic vegetable producer in the nation. Today, Cal Organic grows over 65 vegetables on 45,000 acres across several states and is proud to state that 100 percent of its produce is grown in the United States.
This true American company is notable for their outstanding accomplishments. They are the largest supplier of organic vegetables to Whole Foods and Albertsons/Vons supermarkets, the leading supplier of organic carrots sold by Walmart and Kroeger and, remarkedly, are the sole supplier for every carrot that Costco sells in the U.S. and many other countries.
Through his work Jeff has garnered a well-earned reputation for his expertise in organic farming. Many have sought his knowledge including the California Department of Food and Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the House Agriculture Committee where he has testified about the role and importance of organic production in our nation.
I am honored to congratulate Jeff on this well-deserved recognition of his unparalleled work ethic, countless achievements, and his outstanding role in organic farming and in the agriculture industry overall.
____________________
