Congressman Josh Riley has introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at easing labor shortages for dairy farms and apple growers in Upstate New York.
The Securing Agriculture's Workforce Act would change the H-2A visa program by removing a seasonal work requirement and expanding eligibility to more agricultural sectors, including horticulture.
Riley said the bill is meant to make the federal farm labor program better fit year-round and specialty crop operations. The proposal would allow agricultural sectors that produce year-round, including dairy, to hire workers on contracts lasting up to 350 days.
The bill would also clarify that temporary work under the H-2A program refers to the length of the job contract, not the underlying nature of the work being performed. Additional sectors, including horticulture, forestry and aquaculture, would also become eligible under the program.
"Upstate dairy farmers and apple growers have been telling Washington the same thing for years: the system isn't working," Riley said. "This bipartisan bill cuts through the bureaucracy, strengthens protections for farmworkers, and gives our farmers a fair shot at finding the workforce they need to keep feeding our families."
The measure is backed by several agricultural organizations, according to Riley's office, including the American Farm Bureau, New York Farm Bureau, National Milk Producers Federation, U.S. Apple Association, National Council of Farmer Co-Ops and Northeast Dairy Producers Association.
New York Farm Bureau President David Fisher said Riley's support for the legislation showed an understanding of "the complex issues facing the agricultural community" and helped build momentum for the bill.
Northeast Dairy Producers Association Chair AJ Wormuth said dairy farmers face a competitive global market, unpredictable milk prices and the challenge of maintaining a steady skilled workforce.
"Food security is national security, and ensuring a future for the next generation of farmers is a priority for many of our members," Wormuth said.
Several New York farmers and agricultural leaders also backed the proposal, including Kurt Hanehan, a dairy farmer in Mount Upton, and Eric Ooms, owner of A. Ooms & Sons Dairy in Valatie.
The release also cited support from apple industry leaders and growers, including U.S. Apple Association President and CEO Jim Bair, Bob and Linda Fix of Fix Brothers Fruit Farm in Hudson, and Kristen DeMarree, a New York apple grower and vice chair of the New York Apple Association.
Brian Nicholson, third-generation owner of Red Jacket Orchards in Geneva, said Congress is "long overdue" in addressing agricultural labor issues, which he called a major threat to specialty crop economic viability.
Riley's office said text of the Securing Agriculture's Workforce Act is available through the congressman's office.
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