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Congressional Daily Record
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April 28, 2026
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Extensions of Remarks
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Download official Extensions PDFReturn to issue contextHON. MIKE THOMPSON
of california
in the house of representatives
Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Sean McNamara, whom I have named the California 4th District's 2026 Climate Crisis Champion of the Year for Solano County in recognition of his leadership in strengthening our community's commitment to a sustainable future.
Born in Winters, California, Mr. McNamara grew up working on his family's walnut farm in Solano County. He went on to graduate from Georgetown University with a Bachelor of Arts in American Studies. After completing his degree, he returned to his family's 300-acre farm which is the largest regenerative organic walnut farm in the world, Sierra Orchards in California. Mr. McNamara, along with his sister and farm team, manages Sierra Orchards.
After spending more time managing the orchards, Mr. McNamara was shocked by how conventional agricultural practices can devastate the microbes that enrich our soil. He was determined to adopt management plans that promote life and sustainability in his farming. Every crop he grows is planted with climate resiliency in mind. He began using sheep grazing instead of relying on pesticides, created an orchard recycling program in lieu of open burning, composted agricultural waste instead of discarding it, and took a regenerative approach to farming to ensure that the soil remained healthy. Under this management style, Sierra Orchards uses 30 percent less water and 50 percent less diesel than conventionally farmed walnut operations. Additionally, Sierra Orchards does not rely on off-farm agricultural inputs, which significantly reduces their carbon footprint.
Mr. McNamara shares the best practices utilized at Sierra Orchards with others to help promote sustainability. He regularly collaborates with researchers from different University of California campuses, California Association with Family Farmers, the Solano County Farm Bureau, and Western Growers. Due to his openness and willingness to donate his time to these research-based organizations, significant breakthroughs will be made in the world of science and ecology.
Mr. McNamara is dedicated to supporting our Solano County community and serves as a board member of the Winters Chamber of Commerce, Lower Putah Creek Coordinating Committee, Putah Creek Council, and Rios to Rivers. Mr. McNamara married his wife, Sarah Ashkin, in March 2023. They are blessed with one son named Rylee.
Mr. Speaker, Mr. McNamara's approach to ecology is incredibly effective and his willingness to share his discoveries with others makes him an invaluable asset to our community. His resilience, kindness, and unwavering dedication to ecological justice make him a powerful role model in Solano County and beyond. For these reasons and more, it is fitting and proper that we recognize him today as Solano County's 2026 Climate Crisis Champion of the Year.