National Farmers Union joined a press conference held by Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), with U.S. Representatives Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.), Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.), and David Valadao (R-Calif.) supporting a plan to reform the H-2A visa program through introduction of the Affordable and Secure Food Act (ASFA).
The legislation addresses the need to lower the cost of food and securing our nation’s food supply by reforming the H-2A Temporary Agricultural Worker program. Changes to the program would give farm workers and farmers greater certainty and stability by expanding the number of H-2A visas to year-round jobs, modernizing the application process, creating a more stable wage rate, and ensuring critical protections for farm workers.
In support of the bill, NFU President Rob Larew said, “NFU has heard repeatedly from our members that our current agricultural labor laws are broken. We need a farm workforce policy that actually works for everyone and this bill from Senator Bennet does just that. We’re proud to support this legislation and will work with Senator Bennet to push it forward.”
