Legislation Looks To Address Ag Labor Shortages

One of the biggest challenges facing today’s farmers and growers is ag labor; more specifically the shortage when it comes to available workers. House Ag Committee Chair G.T. Thompson said he is working on a bill to address the issue. Zippy Duvall, president of the American Farm Bureau Federation, said the Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act will address the top issue impacting American farmers.

“Everywhere I travel in this country, I hear farmers talk about, ‘I can't find enough people to help me,’ and that is a problem," Duvall said. "It's the biggest limiting factor that we have in American agriculture. I didn't choose to quit milking cows because I love dairy, but I had to make the choice to quit because I could not find dependable labor that would show up every day to help me get it done.”

Farm Work Isn't Always Seasonal Work

This legislation would expand access to the H-2A program by eliminating the requirement for labor to be seasonal and expanding the definition of temporary to include positions lasting fewer than 350 days. These changes, supporters of the bill say would allow industries like dairy, aquaculture processing, controlled environment agriculture and more to access the program.

“The H-2A program that currently exists is a seasonal guest worker program," Duvall said. "In certain parts of this country, it doesn't make any difference what you're doing. The work’s there every day, whether it's harvesting a crop or pruning and preparing them for the next crop. So, the biggest issue is having year-round workers.”

The Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act would also codify the Department of Labor's recent reforms to the Adverse Effect Wage Rate.

Click Here to read Thompson's legislation in its entirety.

Industry Applauds The Proposal

"For decades, the single most widespread and urgent issue we have heard from each and every state department of agriculture is the need for agricultural labor reform," said Ted McKinney, CEO of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture. "The Securing Agriculture's Workforce Act provides long-overdue improvements to the H-2A program that will make this vital program more accessible and affordable for farmers and ranchers across the U.S. NASDA appreciates Chairman Thompson's efforts to build on bipartisan input, and we look forward to working with Congress to get this critical legislation over the finish line."

“Western Growers strongly supports Chairman Thompson’s Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act (SAWA) and commends his leadership in advancing long-overdue reforms to stabilize America’s agricultural workforce," said Western Growers President and CEO Dave Puglia. “Fresh produce growers in California, Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico have relied on the H-2A program out of necessity, but the program has not kept pace with the realities of modern agriculture. It remains too difficult and expensive for many farmers who depend on it for access to a legal and reliable workforce.

“More predictable wages are essential to keeping American agriculture strong and fresh produce affordable for consumers. Between 2018 and 2025, the national average Adverse Effect Wage Rate increased more than $5.50, from $12.20 to $17.74. That 45 percent surge far outpaced a historically high inflation rate of 28 percent during the same period. This bill offers a meaningful solution to volatile wage increases that put farmers out of business.

“SAWA would take important steps to streamline the program, reduce administrative burdens and provide greater certainty around wage rules. This legislation is a commonsense step toward protecting domestic food production, supporting family farms and ensuring American families continue to have access to a safe, healthy and affordable food supply.

“Western Growers appreciates Chairman Thompson’s leadership and urges Congress to move this legislation forward.”

“Chairman Thompson has consistently been willing to tackle one of agriculture's toughest challenges: the labor crisis,” said Jim Bair, President and CEO of USApple. "We're grateful for his leadership, along with the bipartisan support of this bill's cosponsors."

This legislation, the organization added recognizes that growers need a workforce program that is predictable, practical, and economically sustainable. By codifying the current wage methodology, streamlining program administration, and expanding H-2A eligibility to packing facilities, the bill delivers meaningful advances for labor-intensive specialty crops.