- Podcasts
Podcasts - Videos
Videos - Policy Issues
Policy Issues - About
About
Federal H2A Program Allows Farmers to Hire Foreign Workers
One of Wisconsin’s largest dairy groups is applauding the Trump Administration for updating the rules for foreign farm workers.
The Edge Dairy Cooperative on Thursday said the clarifications to the H-2A program will give dairy farmers across Wisconsin some certainty going forward.
“As a dairy farmer, this move is an encouraging milestone to have access to a visa program and address our labor force needs,” Edge President Heidi Fischer said. “This is a decades-old need, and Edge has actively participated in this conversation with the administration on behalf of our members for several years. We plan to continue to engage on this vitally important issue.”
The H2A program allows US farmers to hire foreign workers for farm work. Many Wisconsin dairy farmers say they could not manage their dairies or herds without foreign workers.
The Trump Administration recently offered new "guidance" that clarifies dairy operations are eligible under the H-2A program, and will be subject to the same statutory and regulatory standards applied to all H-2A employers.
But the guidance is not the final word. Congress will still have a say.
Fischer said she hopes Congress understands what dairy farmers in Wisconsin need.
“We believe workforce reform is a food security issue and ultimately a national security issue,” Fischer said. “Food security is dependent on a reliable, skilled, and safe workforce that harvest crops, care for livestock and process the food to keep American families fed. It is promising to see this first step and encourage Congress to continue efforts on legislation needed for permanent solutions for the dairy workforce.”
Interested in the content of this Article?
Reach out to the MacIver Institute to aquire more information
