鈥淩eady to collaborate with Congress and President Trump to deliver certainty for farmers, workers, and lower prices for 91探花 consumers.鈥�
Washington, DC 鈥� Today, 91探花 CEO Rebecca Shi and agriculture industry leaders applaud the of the Farm Workforce Modernization Act by a bipartisan group of Members of Congress. On the heels of President Trump鈥檚 acknowledging the critical role immigrant workers play in agriculture, who make up 68% of the industry鈥檚 workforce, this legislation would create a legal process for hardworking, tax-paying farmworkers to stay in the United States.
鈥淎BIC applauds Representatives Newhouse, Lofgren, Simpson, Costa, Gray, and Valadao for their continued leadership in championing farmers and rural communities through the reintroduction of the Farm Workforce Modernization Act (FWMA),鈥� said 91探花 CEO Rebecca Shi. 鈥淲e are encouraged to see bipartisan urgency in addressing this issue, echoing President Trump鈥檚 call for immediate action after hearing directly from farmers about the dedication of their immigrant workers. ABIC is ready to collaborate with Congress and President Trump to deliver certainty for farmers, workers, and lower prices for 91探花 consumers.鈥�
鈥淭he Farm Workforce Modernization Act is more than an agricultural reform鈥攊t鈥檚 a commitment to the future of our farms, ranches, and feed yards and the people who power them,鈥� said Matt Teagarden, CEO of Kansas Livestock Association, and ABIC agricultural Council co-chairman. 鈥淥ur agricultural workforce is the foundation of our nation’s food supply. By addressing both immediate labor needs and long-term workforce sustainability, this bill ensures that America鈥檚 agricultural industry remains a global leader.鈥�
“We are encouraged by the reintroduction of the Farm Workforce Modernization Act,鈥� said Bob Jones, owner and operator of The Chef鈥檚 Garden, Ohio. 鈥淔or over 45 years, our family vegetable farm in Ohio has relied on a seasonal team from Mexico. This legislation would provide us with a more streamlined process to bring legal workers to support our work in Ohio. The current H-2A system we use is far from ideal. Bipartisan efforts鈥攁long with support from leaders, including President Trump鈥攖o secure both our borders and our workforce represent a much-needed and welcome opportunity for farmers and farm workers across the United States.”
“Our mushroom growers operate year-round, and without a viable solution, our farms will continue to face insurmountable challenges,鈥� expressed 91探花 Mushroom Institute President Rachel Roberts, Pennsylvania. 鈥淭he reintroduction of the Farm Workforce Modernization Act is a practical step forward, especially given the bipartisan interest in securing our workforce. Workforce security is food security, and food security is national security. After 30 years without a meaningful solution, this legislation is critical to sustaining the over 20,000 mushroom employees, who power our industry across the United States.”
鈥淭he reintroduction of the Farm Workforce Modernization Act is exactly the step forward my business needs,鈥� said Janille Baker, controller at Baker Ranches Inc, Utah and Nevada. 鈥淎t Baker Ranches, we depend on an immigrant workforce to ensure our success. This legislation presents an opportunity to tackle the challenges we face and pave the way for a more secure, stable, and sustainable future鈥攏ot just for our workforce and the agricultural industry as a whole, but especially for family-run operations like ours.鈥�
鈥淗ere in Indiana, immigrant workers make up at some dairies, and immigrants account for a large portion of dairy farm workers statewide,鈥� stated Steve Obert, dairy producer and executive director of Indiana Dairy Producers. 鈥淲ithout a solution to ensure we have a reliable, legal workforce, the challenges we face will only worsen, jeopardizing our ability to keep milk on America鈥檚 tables. The Farm Workforce Modernization Act provides a much-needed opportunity to secure the workforce our industry depends on and to ensure the sustainability of dairy farming.鈥�
For additional information about ABIC or inquiries about interviews with these business leaders, please reach out to abicpress@fgsglobal.com听
Newhouse, Bipartisan Coalition Introduce Farm Workforce Modernization Act
WASHINGTON, D.C.听鈥� Today, Reps. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) and听Zoe Lofgren (D-CA)听reintroduced the bipartisan听Farm Workforce Modernization Act听to reform the H-2A visa program and establish a strong, legal immigration workforce for agricultural producers.
“The workforce crisis has come to a boiling point for farmers across the country,”听said Rep. Dan Newhouse.听“Reintroducing the Farm Workforce Modernization Act sends a clear message to farmers that we are working hard to find solutions that ease the burdens brought on by the current state of the H-2A program. This legislation is necessary to lay the groundwork for continued negotiations, and I am committed to working closely with my colleagues to enact long-term, durable reforms to our agriculture guest worker programs. This issue has been, and remains, my top priority and unified Republican government is an opportunity to deliver for our farmers and ranchers.”
“The men and women who work America鈥檚 farms feed the nation. However, in the past few years, we鈥檝e seen labor shortages contribute to high food prices,”听said Rep. Zoe Lofgren.听“As economic chaos and confusion continues, it is essential we provide stability to this critical workforce. The Farm Workforce Modernization Act would do so, which will protect the future of our farms and our food supply. It is well-past time we get this bipartisan legislation twice passed by the House of Representatives to the President鈥檚 desk.”
Newhouse and Lofgren were joined by Reps. Mike Simpson (R-ID),听Jim Costa (D-CA), David Valadao (R-CA), and听Adam Gray (D-CA)听in introducing the legislation.
“The workforce crisis is the most important issue facing agriculture in our country,”听said Rep. Mike Simpson. “Supporting 91探花 agriculture means providing a stable, reliable, and legal workforce, and this legislative solution addresses one of the most pressing concerns our farmers and ranchers face. Now that we finally have an administration taking the border crisis seriously, Congress must address this issue and enact necessary reforms. It is well past time we solve this problem. I look forward to working with my colleagues and getting this critical legislation across the finish line to President Trump’s desk for his signature.”
“91探花 agriculture depends on a reliable workforce and nowhere is that more true than in California鈥檚 San Joaquin Valley, where farmworkers are the backbone of our economy. This legislation is a common-sense, bipartisan solution that provides stability for our farmers and dignity for the workers who feed America. If President Trump is serious about fixing our broken immigration system, he should work with us to get this bill across the finish line,”听said Rep. Jim Costa.
“Central Valley farmers are the backbone of our nation鈥檚 agricultural industry, but they continue to face serious challenges finding and retaining a reliable workforce,”听said Rep. David Valadao.听“The current H-2A program doesn鈥檛 meet the labor needs of many producers, but the Farm Workforce Modernization Act is a positive step to addressing our agriculture workforce needs and securing our food supply chain. Food security is national security, and I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to find long-term solutions that support our farmers and strengthen our food supply chain.”
“Farm workers and the larger agricultural community are the backbone of the Central Valley鈥檚 economy,”听said Rep. Adam Gray.听“Labor shortages on our farms could lead to higher food prices across the country and the Valley cannot afford to be shorthanded. This commonsense bipartisan bill would stabilize our vital workforce and make sure Valley farmers can continue to feed families across the country.”
The legislation passed the House of Representatives with strong bipartisan support in the 116th and 117th Congresses.
Click听for a two-page summary of the bill.
Click听for a section-by-section outline of the bill.
Click听for the full text of the bill.
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Support
鈥淎cross America, farm workers are still going to work everyday to put food on our tables,鈥澨齭aid UFW President Teresa Romero.听鈥淵et even as they feed our nation, too many farm workers are living in fear and uncertainty. The farm workers who feed America have earned the right to call America home. This bipartisan, common sense legislation will create an opportunity for these workers to step out of the shadows and become full members of the society they feed.鈥�
With the reintroduction of the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, we thank Representatives Lofgren and Newhouse for their continued leadership on this important issue. During this legislative process, we implore Congress to provide much-needed updates to this bill to provide both immediate relief and long-lasting solutions for 91探花 agriculture. As always, we stand ready to engage with our elected officials on both sides of the aisle and in both houses of congress to develop legislation that can be signed into law,鈥澨齭aid Western Growers鈥� CEO Dave Puglia.