Recently, a new measure – the Farm Workforce Modernization Act – was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by a bipartisan group of leaders, including Rep. Zoe Lofgren, Chair of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, and Rep. Dan Newhouse.
A one-page summary of the measure is available here. The bill would provide legal status to current agricultural workers and their families and reform the H-2A guest-worker visa program to permit year-round agriculture to participate, a crucial need for farmers and agriculture.
Land O’Lakes, Inc., along with many industry stakeholders, support this measure as a common-sense step toward addressing the shortfall in agricultural labor. In fact, Land O’Lakes recently participated in a fly-in to Washington, DC supporting the measure. Member-owner John Hess attended along with Land O’Lakes Government Relations staff and met with several key Congressional offices to encourage swift action on the bill.
Because it will help stabilize and grow the agricultural workforce across America, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act would benefit growers of many crops and commodities, and benefit the agricultural economy overall. As a result, Land O’Lakes is closely monitoring this legislation and will keep all members updated on the bill’s progress.
We anticipate a Committee vote in the coming days – the first step in the process. We are hoping to see the bill on the House floor sometime in December. When that time comes, Land O’Lakes will provide easy-to-use tools to contact your member of Congress and urge them to support the bill.