[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 58 (Friday, March 27, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E285]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING STEVE SANDO

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 27, 2026

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Steve 
Sando, a local agricultural leader, on the 25th anniversary of his 
company, Rancho Gordo.
  Mr. Sando began his journey in the San Francisco Bay Area. He 
attended Tamalpais High School and later continued his education at the 
College of Marin and at San Francisco State University. As a California 
native born in Los Angeles, Mr. Sando had always been interested in 
California agriculture, especially beans. He started his own home 
garden 26 years ago, where he discovered and cultivated a treasure 
trove of heirloom beans, leading to the foundation of Rancho Gordo.
  Steve Sando founded Rancho Gordo in 2001 in the Napa Valley. 
Recognizing the culinary potential of his heirloom bean varietals, Mr. 
Sando set out to share these ``superstar'' beans with the world. Today, 
Rancho Gordo grows more than 25 varieties on the West Coast and 
partners with small-scale indigenous farmers in Mexico to bring rare, 
traditional beans to the U.S. Mr. Sando's work has caught the attention 
of renowned chefs and home cooks eager to elevate their meals with 
quality ingredients. Rancho Gordo's products, which include beans, 
corn, chiles, and other staples, have become key components in New 
American cuisine. Rancho Gordo sells about 2.5 million pounds of beans 
a year and supports 38 permanent full-time employees in our community. 
Mr. Sando's efforts at the forefront of the seed-saving revolution have 
been widely recognized. Saveur named Rancho Gordo number two on its 
``Saveur 100'' list in 2008, Bon Appetit included Steve in its ``Hot 
10'' for 2009, and Food & Wine praised him as a leader in the seed-
saving movement. His most recent cookbook, The Bean Book, is a New York 
Times Bestseller.
  Mr. Sando has also done incredible work for our community by 
supporting small farmers both locally and in Mexico, preserving 
heirloom crop varieties. He also actively contributes to nonprofit 
fundraising efforts for organizations including Ag for Youth in Napa, 
as well as elementary schools across the country. Mr. Sando serves as 
the founder of the Rancho Gordo Foundation, a new nonprofit focused on 
agriculture and youth.
  Mr. Sando shares this honor with his two sons, Robert and Nicholas. 
He remains dedicated to his mission: preserving the agricultural 
heritage of the Americas and sharing its incredible flavors with the 
world.
  Mr. Speaker, we thank Steve Sando for his dedicated service to our 
community as we celebrate Rancho Gordo's 25th anniversary. Therefore, 
it is fitting and proper that we honor him here today.

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