Secretary Perdue Optimistic About Guest Worker Program

Farm labor issues have plagued many throughout the industry and the future of getting workers onto fields and farms is murky.

Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue said he’s optimistic and understands how important this issue is to producers.

“They are ‘whatever it takes’ kind of people, they get in there and dig it, but it’s hard to hire people to do that. That’s a challenge for the dairy industry, high-pick type of vegetable crops and other things.”

There could be a legislative solution coming down the pike. House Ag Committee Chair Mike Conaway said they are working on a bill to address the issue.

“It creates an H-2C program, puts it under the leadership of our good secretary versus the Department of Labor. It’s moving in the right direction.”

There would also be an e-verify system in place for H-2C visas.