Flooding in California Crops and USDA Wildfire Investment

**Widespread flooding from continuing storms have caused extensive damage for California agriculture, with more storms expected this month.

Water from recent storms flooded dairies and carried silt and debris into citrus groves in Tulare County, flooded fields of leafy greens and berries in Monterey County and impacted livestock and feed crops in Humboldt County.

Monterey County Farm Bureau Executive Director Norm Groot says this month’s damages could top January estimates in agricultural storm losses.

**Data from the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture annual Feeding the Economy Report shows food and ag industries and their suppliers contribute over $8.6 trillion to the U.S. economy.

This year's report shows the U.S. food and ag sector directly supports nearly 23 million jobs, provides $927 billion in wages, and is vital to rural communities.

The 2023 report shows that manufacturing ag products accounts for nearly one-fifth of total U.S. manufacturing jobs.

**The USDA announced the first investment of a $1 billion effort to mitigate wildfire risks as the nation faces an ongoing wildfire crisis.

USDA announced a $197 million investment for 100 projects that benefits 22 states as part of the Community Wildfire Defense Grant program.

USDA's Forest Service worked with states and tribes through an interagency workgroup to develop the Community Wildfire Defense Grant program, originally announced last June.