By Clint Thompson
The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) recognizes the urgent need for the Senate to pass its version of the Farm Workforce Modernization Act before the end of the year. The GFVGA also acknowledges the need for necessary changes be made to the bill in its current format.
Charles Hall, executive director of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA), talked about the important legislation that will also be discussed during the upcoming Georgia Ag Labor Forum.
“We need something from the Senate sooner. But we also need something from the Senate that works. We have always had concerns about the House version of the Farm Worker Modernization Act,” Hall said. “I know there is some effort going on in the Senate right now for some changes in there. We would not support passage of the current Farm Worker Modernization Act as it currently stands. We feel like it’s not a workable situation for H-2A. With some changes and we’ve communicated those changes, we feel like this could work. I’m just not sure they have the time to get that done before the end of the year.”
Hall expressed the need for changes in March after the House passed the Farm Workforce Modernization Act.
The Georgia Ag Labor Forum is scheduled for Nov. 9-10 at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus Conference Center in Tifton, Georgia.
It will also address the H-2A program, which allows U.S. employers to bring foreign nationals to the U.S. to fill temporary agricultural jobs.
Click here to register for the event.