Northwest Growers: H2A Is A Dinosaur

As debate continues in Washington D.C. how to address the ag labor shortage, questions about the H2A program continue to arise.  April Clayton with the Chelan Douglas Farm Bureau says for her apple and cherry operation in North Central Washington, H2A does not work.  She said the program is a dinosaur.

“We actually don’t use it, because of all of the increased regulatory burdens that are placed on it.  One place where the H2A program does constantly change is housing.”

For example Clayton says housing they built for 16 people recently become adequate only for 12 people.  She noted, if she wanted to permit her housing for 16 people again, she would need to add another bathroom, which would be very expensive.

Who is to blame for the current guest worker and H2A situation?

King Pierce Farm Bureau president Rosella Mosby said it’s not a president or Ag secretary, but rather men and women of the House and Senate.

“Those are the people who have had the power to make decisions, and I feel like the farmers and ranchers, have kind of been shoved to the end of the line a little bit, and I really wish that policy makers would sit down at the table, and put their agenda aside, and do what’s best for the America farmer.”

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