By Clint Thompson
The Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA) is urging support for the Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act, an important piece of legislation aimed at reforming the H-2A program.
The FFVA sent a letter last week to the Florida congressional delegation urging support and co-sponsorship of the bill, expected to be introduced later this month by Congressman Glenn “GT” Thompson.
“A legal and dependable workforce is essential for Florida growers, and the unprecedented shortage of U.S. workers willing to work on our farms has caused growers to turn to the H-2A visa program to ensure a workforce is available,” the letter read. “Labor accounts for nearly 40% of specialty crop farm expenses, and the costs of using the H-2A program narrow our margins further. Despite this, Florida remains the largest user of the H-2A program, and it is a critical tool for the growers who use it. However, the program needs practical reforms that improve access, provide greater predictability and better reflect the realities of modern agriculture.”
Also Included
The letter added that Thompson’s legislation would expand access for Florida producers currently excluded from the H-2A program and ensure that legal guest workers can pack and haul harvested produce when domestic workers are not available. The bill would also stabilize wages while remaining protective of U.S. workers by codifying the adverse effect wage rate.
“This bill represents a thoughtful and credible approach to achieving a more workable agricultural labor system, and its overall direction deserves strong support,” the letter added.
Notable Florida farmers included in the letter were FFVA Chair Steven B. Callaham, FFVA Vice Chair Adam Lytch, Jason Chandler with Grimmway Farms, Brittany Lee with Florida Blue Farms, Inc., Aaron Troyer with Troyer Brothers Florida, Inc. and Gary Wishnatzki with Wish Farms, Inc.
Click here to learn more about what’s included in the bill.