[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 74 (Tuesday, April 28, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E382]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING SEAN McNAMARA

                                  _____
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 28, 2026

  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.

                          ____________________