Dairy Ambassador & H2A Visa Glitch

Dairy Ambassador & H2A Visa Glitch

Dairy Ambassador & H2A Visa Glitch

I'm Lacy Gray with Washington Ag Today.

It's time once again for the Washington State Dairy Ambassador Coronation. The young women chosen as Dairy Ambassadors become advocates for the state's dairy industry. Lynnae Rodeffer, President of WA State Dairy Women, says this year is a very special anniversary for the ambassador program.

RODEFFER: Our 60th annual Washington State Dairy Ambassador Coronation will be held on Saturday, June 27 at the Holiday Inn in Everett. This year we have 8 contestants and these young ladies have served as county ambassadors for the past year in their local areas and they've gone through extensive preparations to run for state Dairy Ambassador.

Rodeffer says that leading up to the coronation contestants showcase their abilities by delivering dairy-related speeches, educational presentations, holding interviews with a panel of judges, and participating in other activities that allows them to highlight their knowledge and skills. Dairy ambassadors who served over the last 60 years will also be honored at this year's coronation.

In a recent letter to Secretary of State John Kerry and Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson Congressman Dan Newhouse asked the tough question as to why the government computer infrastructure that is once again causing delays in issuing temporary and immigrant U.S. visas to legal farmworkers has not been fixed, as well as what immediate plans there are to provide emergency relief for farmers who have approved H2A workers currently sitting in consulates. Growers from Washington to Colorado are anticipating financial losses that could be in the millions as much need workers are stranded at the border just as the summer harvest gets under way.

That's Washington Ag Today.

I'm Lacy Gray with the Ag Information Network of the West.

Previous ReportStewardship of the Land
Next ReportTPA Win & Visa Crisis Update