In the immigration debate, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue hopes that lawmakers pay attention to the critical shortage of farm workers for U.S. farms. Gary Crawford has the story. Concerns Rising about Farm Worker Shortages
Analyst to Dairy: Speak Up Now on Immigration
CNN political analyst and Republican strategist Ann Navarro told dairy farmers it’s time to make sure lawmakers “hear your voice” on immigration. Speaking to dairy farmers at the annual Dairy Strong Conference last week, she says farmers understand the immigration issue and urged them to keep pushing their representatives in Washington to act. Immigration is a key issue for dairy …
Government Shutdown Likely to Take Toll on Agriculture
The government shutdown and its aftermath is likely to continue taking a toll on agriculture, including efforts to write a new farm bill. The loss of trust is an obvious casualty of the government shutdown, and will be in its aftermath, as lawmakers struggle to craft a long-term budget solution, along with a “fix” for illegal child immigration, passing disaster …
Ag Labor Fix Tied to DACA Bill in Congress
A complete overhaul of the American agricultural guest worker program is a major part of a House of Representatives’ plan to fix the immigration status of young people involved in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program (DACA). The DACA program is currently tied up in an immigration reform battle on Capitol Hill. A DTN report says Virginia Republican Bob …
Farm Bureau’s Duvall Praises ‘Fresh Air’ in D.C.
Calls for Better Immigration, Trade, Farm Bill American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall called on farmers and ranchers to redouble their efforts to advocate for agriculture, even as the current administration has begun moving to undo some of the regulations that have burdened them for years. “We have had a seat at the table with the Trump administration,” Duvall …
Agri View: Political Questions and Issues
Everett Griner talks about some of the political questions and issues facing agricultural producers in today’s Agri View. Everett discusses what Congress has been most focused on — taxes and foreign labor. These two factors have more impact on agriculture than all of the others combined. But, Everett also asked questions about other issues that need to be covered for agriculture. …
House Republicans Trying Again to Enact Ag Worker Reform Legislation
House Republicans are trying again to enact ag worker reform legislation to deal with the longstanding problem of illegal seasonal farm labor in the U.S. But, the effort may be going nowhere in the Senate. House Judiciary Chairman Bob Goodlatte’s [GOOD-lat] Agricultural Workers Act would create a new non-immigrant worker visa program, aimed at providing a stable, legal and adequate …
Agri View: Farm Labor
Everett Griner talks about farm labor. A problem plaguing agriculture nationwide in today’s Agri View.
Experts Predict Little Ag Damage in DACA Action
An immigration attorney told the Capital Press this week that any changes to DACA, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, would have little impact on agriculture. Tom Roach, a Pasco, Washington immigration attorney, says ending deportation deferrals for illegal immigrants who came to the U.S. as children may not be a big hit to agriculture. He says most of …
Farm Labor Shortage May Drive Produce Prices Higher
Adding guacamole to your favorite foods may soon become more expensive. Food and Wine Dot Com says a package of almonds may become pricier as well. As California farmers welcomed the end of a serious drought this spring, a serious labor shortage is becoming another issue to deal with. California is where the bulk of the nation’s produce is grown …