O’Halleran Announces Grant Secured for Climate Smart Ag Production

WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Tom O'Halleran (AZ-01) announced that the University of Arizona and local partners had been awarded $35,000,000 through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities grant program. The grant funding will be used to support the development of natural rubber production in the Southwest, offering Arizona farmers a sustainable, low-carbon crop.

"As Arizona contends with a historic 1,200-year drought, we must ensure we're supporting rural and tribal farmers and investing in alternative crops that are well-suited for our climate," said O'Halleran. "I'm pleased to see funding awarded to this critical project that will support our state's agriculture industry, creating new jobs for tribal stakeholders and combatting climate change in the process."

In June, O'Halleran hosted a bipartisan listening session in Pinal County with leaders from the House Agriculture Committee, a major focus of which was the importance of investing in crops that require less water to cultivate-like guayule.

In August, O'Halleran sent an introduction letter to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, requesting consideration of the proposal and outlining its impact for farmers, ag producers, and the economy in Arizona during historic drought.

Funding was awarded to the University of Arizona, Bridgestone Americas, Inc., Colorado State University, OpenET, Eight Regional growers, the Tohono O'odham Nation, and Colorado River Indian Tribes (Mohave Chemeuvi, Hopi, and Navajo peoples). The project focus will be in Maricopa, Pinal, and Pima counties.

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