Coalition Applauds Bipartisan Introduction of House Tax Bill to Boost Innovation in Agriculture

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

March 5, 2025

Contact: Colin O'Neil 

colin@oneil-strategies.com

Coalition for Specialty Crop Innovation Applauds Bipartisan Introduction of House Tax Bill to Boost Innovation in Agriculture

New Coalition Formed to Advocate for Passage of the

Supporting Innovation in Agriculture Act in 2025

Washington, D.C. – The Coalition for Specialty Crop Innovation celebrates the bipartisan introduction of the Supporting Innovation in Agriculture Act in the U.S. House of Representatives by Ways & Means Tax Subcommittee Chairman Mike Kelly (R-PA-16) and Ranking Member Mike Thompson (D-CA-04) along with Representatives Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19), Max Miller (R-OH-07), Dwight Evans (D-PA-03), David Valadao (R-CA-22), Jahana Hayes (D-CT-05), Claudia Tenney (R-NY-24), Josh Harder (D-CA-09), Nathaniel Moran (R-TX-01), Josh Riley (D-NY-19), Doug LaMalfa (R-CA-01), Janelle Bynum (D-OR-05) and Andrea Salinas (D-OR-06).

The Supporting Innovation in Agriculture Act would fill an important policy gap for the diverse domestic specialty crop industry by creating a new federal investment tax credit (ITC) to accelerate the deployment of innovative farming technologies for specialty crop growers.  

“The Coalition for Specialty Crop Innovation commends Chairman Mike Kelly and Ranking Member Mike Thompson for their leadership and welcomes the introduction of the bipartisan Supporting Innovation in Agriculture Act,” said Colin O’Neil, Managing Director of the Coalition for Specialty Crop Innovation. “From Pennsylvania to California, Missouri to Massachusetts, innovative technologies will be essential for America’s specialty crop producers—helping to make farm operations more resilient, more sustainable, and ultimately more competitive on the global stage.”

The bill has received the endorsement from more than 50 leading organizations and trade associations including the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, the International Fresh Produce Association, FMI – The Food Industry Association, Agricultural Retailers Association, and the CEA Alliance (see full list below). The bill has also received support from more than 30 state agriculture secretaries and commissioners (see full list below).

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, for the third year in a row the U.S. is projected to run the largest agricultural trade deficit in modern history, driven in large part by increased consumer demand for specialty crops. In addition to rising food imports, the resilience of the fresh food supply chain is threatened by more extreme weather and drought conditions, worsening pest and disease pressures, rising input costs and inflationary pressures, and the repercussions of labor shortages.

“The Supporting Innovation in Agriculture Act would be a game-changer for the diverse domestic specialty crop industry and a win for farmers across the country,” added O’Neil. “With tax policy on the agenda in 2025, this bill should be a priority in any comprehensive tax package or reconciliation bill.”

Additional statements in support of the legislation available here.

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About the Coalition for Specialty Crop Innovation & List of Supporters

The Coalition for Specialty Crop Innovation is a united voice for specialty crop growers, trade associations, food and farm businesses, and organizations committed to supporting the deployment of cutting-edge technologies for U.S. specialty crop growers through the passage of the Supporting Innovation in Agriculture Act.​

For more information or to inquire about becoming a member of the coalition, please visit www.specialtycropalliance.com or contact info@specialtycropalliance.com.

Current list of organizations and trade associations endorsing the legislation:

Agricultural Retailers Association, Almond Alliance, American Mushroom Institute, AmericanHort, Arizona Wine Growers Association , California Association of Winegrape Growers, California Pear Growers Association, California Prune Board, California Seed Association, California Sweet Potato Council, CEA Alliance, Colorado Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association, Colorado Potato Legislative Association, Family Winemakers of California, Florida Tomato Exchange, FMI - the Food Industry Association, Garden State Wine Growers Association , Georgia Agribusiness Council, Georgia Farm Bureau, Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, Grower-Shipper Association of Central California, International Fresh Produce Association, Maryland Wineries Association, Michigan Farm Bureau , Michigan State Horticultural Society, Michigan Vegetable Council, Missouri Wine and Grape Board, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, National Onion Association, National Peach Council, National Watermelon Association, New Mexico Wine & Grape Association, New York Farm Bureau, New York Wine & Grape Foundation, New York Wine Policy Institute, North American Blueberry Council, North American Strawberry Growers Association, North Carolina Blueberry Council, North Carolina Strawberry Association, Northwest Horticultural Council, Ohio Wine Producers, Pacific Seed Association, Pennsylvania Farmers Union, Robins Regional Chamber, South Carolina Specialty Crop Growers Association, Southeast Produce Council, Inc., Texas Citrus Mutual, Texas International Produce Association, Texas Vegetable Association, Texas Watermelon Association, Tri-City Development Council, Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce, US Sweet Potato Council, Vidalia Onion Business Council, Virginia Agribusiness Council, Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine, Wine Institute, WineAmerica, Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association. Link to endorsement letter.

List of Current State Agriculture Officials in support of the legislation:

Russell Redding, Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture; Kevin Atticks, Maryland Secretary of Agriculture; Matthew Lohr, Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry; Jeff Witte, New Mexico Secretary of Agriculture; Doug Miyamoto, Wyoming Director of Agriculture; Sid Miller, Texas Commissioner of Agriculture; Tyler Harper, Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture; Bryan Scoresby, Alaska Director of Agriculture; Ashley E. Randle, Massachusetts Commissioner of Agricultural Resources; Chris Chinn, Missouri Director of Agriculture; Steve Troxler, North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture; Jonathan Shell, Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture; Anson Tebbetts, Vermont Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets; Bryan P Hurlburt, Connecticut Commissioner of Agriculture; Kent A. Leonhardt, West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture; Craig W. Buttars, Utah Commissioner of Agriculture and Food; J.J. Goicoechea, DVM, Nevada Director Department of Agriculture; Lisa Charpilloz Hanson, Oregon Director of Agriculture; Derek Sandison, Washington Director of Agriculture; Hugh E. Weathers, South Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture; Sharon Hurd, Hawaii Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture; Kate Greenberg, Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture; Charles Hatcher D.V.M, Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture; Shawn N. Jasper, New Hampshire Commissioner of Agriculture, Markets and Food; Thom Petersen, Commissioner of Minnesota Department of Agriculture; Ed Wengryn, New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture; Jillien Streit, Montana Director of Agriculture; Brian Baldridge, Ohio Director of Agriculture; Tim Boring, Michigan Director of Agriculture; Ken Ayars, Rhode Island Chief of Agriculture; and Randy Romanski, Wisconsin Secretary of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection. Link to support letter.