North Country growers applaud federal farm bill

PERU | Farmers and growers from across the region are applauding the federal Farm Workforce Modernization Act, saying the measure includes solutions to address the current labor crisis facing American agriculture. On March 18, U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, who co-sponsored the bipartisan legislation, voted in favor of the bill saying "North Country farmers have long suffered from an unstable workforce and constant demand for labor. The Farm Workforce Modernization Act addresses this reality by reforming the broken H-2A program while ensuring job security for American workers and stability for our nation's food supply." Specifically, she said, the bill would: -Simplify the H-2A program to provide more flexibility for employers, while ensuring critical protections for workers -Establish a mandatory, nationwide E-verify system for all agricultural employment with a structured phase-in and guaranteed due process for authorized workers -Allow farmers to post job openings on an online job registry, modernizing recruitment and ensuring American workers have the opportunity to apply -Provide year-round access to the H-2A program for industries with year-round labor needs, including the dairy industry, which does not have access Farmers and agricultural producers in New York's 21st Congressional District voiced overwhelming support for the legislation, including third-generation apple grower Jesse Mulbury with Northern Orchards in Peru. "I want to thank Congresswoman Stefanik for her leadership and support for the Farm Workforce Modernization Act. This legislation is long overdue. We have individuals who have been coming back to our farm seasonally through the H-2A program for 30 years, and they have been great assets and friends to our business and community," he said following the vote. "The provisions in this bill will help our workers, help our farm, and help to provide some stability to the vital H2A labor program which is an invaluable lifeline to modern agriculture in the US." Northeast Dairy Producers Association Board Chair John Dickinson also commended Stefanik and the bipartisan efforts in Washington, saying "the passage of the Farm Workforce Modernization Act provides dairy farms access to an essential workforce that will help the industry remain viable and strong." "Farms are the backbone of our country. They provide us with local milk and other nourishing products, and in New York alone generate more than $5.7 billion for our economy," Dickinson said. "By expanding the H-2A seasonal worker program, our leaders have taken an important step forward to ensure the year-round dairy industry has the resources needed to continue to provide milk and other dairy products to groceries, farmers' markets and food pantries, and all while supporting our regional economies."

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North Country growers applaud federal farm bill

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