Agricultural Labor Reform Can’t Wait

Over the years, I’ve visited with farmers and ranchers in nearly every corner of the country. One concern comes up over and over: the need for agricultural labor reform.

Farmers need people who are willing and able to come alongside side them in the hard work of producing the food, fuel and fiber that American families depend on. But finding skilled, reliable workers has become increasingly difficult, and the H-2A program doesn’t meet the needs of agriculture.

This issue is personal for me. My family made the difficult decision to step away from dairy farming years ago, and labor challenges played a big role in that decision. The fact that farmers are being forced to change crops or shutdown their farms due to a shortage of workers is why agricultural labor reform has been a top priority during my time as president of the American Farm Bureau Federation.

Agriculture needs leaders who are willing to tackle tough issues. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “G.T.” Thompson has been a champion for farmers across the country on this issue, and his introduction of the Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act is an important step forward. I was proud to stand alongside Chairman Thompson this week as he introduced this bill and brought together farmers, ranchers and agricultural leaders to highlight the need for meaningful labor reform. This bill reflects years of conversations with farmers and ranchers and recommendations from the bipartisan Agricultural Labor Working Group that Chairman Thompson formed. Most importantly, it recognizes that agriculture needs a guestworker system that works in the real world.

America’s Agricultural Workforce Challenge

The need for agricultural labor reform isn’t new, but it’s becoming more urgent with every passing season. H-2A labor certifications have increased by more than 25% since 2021, and the program is on pace to grow again this year. Farmers are doing everything they can to find the workers they need, but the demand for agricultural labor is not slowing down.

A one-size-fits-all approach simply doesn’t work for agriculture, either. Some farms need seasonal workers, and others need year-round employees. And domestic labor shortages remain severe. When farm jobs are posted, less than 1% are filled by a domestic applicant, and even fewer stay through the season. Farmers are left trying to plan months in advance without knowing whether they'll have the workforce they need to plant, care for and harvest their crops. At the same time, farmers must navigate rising costs, complicated regulations, and a program that has not been modernized by Congress in decades.

A Path Forward for Agricultural Labor Reform

For many farms, labor is not just another expense. It can be the difference between staying in business or having to sell off the farm. Without enough workers, crops are left to rot in the fields, farms are forced to consolidate, and our nation’s healthy food supply shrinks. That’s why Farm Bureau has spent years working with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to move this issue forward.

The Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act represents meaningful progress. It is a recognition that farmers need access to a reliable workforce and that the current system needs improvement. No piece of legislation solves problems overnight. But after years of talking about agricultural labor reform, it’s encouraging to see momentum building around solutions. Farmers deserve a labor system that works for all of agriculture, and we will continue advocating for solutions that keep America’s food supply secure.