The federal government recently announced plans to expand and expedite the deportation of undocumented workers.
That move led to a forceful call from Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall asking for guest-worker reforms.
“We are a nation of laws and farmers believe our laws must be followed,” Duvall says.
“However, our laws also ought to allow for an adequate, legal workforce.”
“Farmers deserve better than to be forced to leave crops to rot in the field because there aren’t enough workers to help with the harvest.”
Duvall says stronger immigration enforcement should be coupled with an improved and more affordable H-2A guest-worker program.
“Currently, farmers with year-round worker needs, such as dairy and livestock producers, are unable to use the program and that’s not right,” Duvall says.
“An adequate workforce is needed to address issues ranging from food waste to farm sustainability.”
“America disagrees on many things, but surely we can agree that we need to keep putting healthy food on the table.”