Specialty Crop Fixes in 2026
From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson with today’s Fruit Grower Report. 2026 begins with continuing hopes that specialty crops will see some kind of ag labor reforms and be included in future ag assistance programs.
Sara Neagu-Reed, (NAG-oo Reed) Director of Production and Environmental Policy at the International Fresh Produce Association, says her fingers are crossed …
NEAGU-REED … “I can’t make any promises, but you know, as a trade association and with our coalition partners in Washington D.C., we are beating the drum, like we always have been. You know I wasn’t even born the last time that ag labor reform was actually passed, IRCA in 1986, (laughs) so that’s telling.”
And ag labor reform, Neagu-Reed says is just one of the challenges …
NEAGU-REED … “It’s funny, in a messed-up way, because everyone agrees with it. The polling out there, even consumers when they hear these stories, they’re confused on why we can’t get it done, but it’s just become so politically divisive and we’re trying to kind of tone that down, make it a, this is an employment issue more than an immigration issue.”
And the recent Bridge Assistance Program, wasn’t much help …
NEAGU-REED … “This is all causing our growers to feel the pinch. So, we need to be included in any economic assistance that this administration and Congress puts out. This is not just a row crop issue. Economic assistance needs to be directly put towards specialty crops as well to make us at least somewhat whole again.”
She says there are glimmers of hope with the house ag committee focusing on some specialty crop policies moving forward.
