Dairy leaders push for ag labor reform on Capitol Hill

Dairy farmers from across the country took their message to Capitol Hill this week, urging lawmakers to advance agricultural labor reform and other key dairy priorities. More than three dozen advocates participated in the National Milk Producers Federation’s State Dairy Association Summit, holding about 50 meetings with members of Congress and their staffs. A top priority was the Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act, introduced by House Agriculture Committee Chairman G.T. Thompson. The legislation would expand H-2A access for year-round industries like dairy by removing the program’s seasonal requirement, allowing contracts of up to 350 days and creating a pathway for the current workforce to transition into a legal visa program. “Ag labor is one of the most important issues of any in agriculture right now,” said North Carolina dairy farmer Doug Holland, president of the North Carolina Dairy Producers Association. Summit participants also discussed passing a new farm bill and expanding milk options in schools.