Farm Groups Push for H-2A Reform in Washington
Farmers and agricultural groups gathered in Washington last month to push for improvements to the H-2A guest worker program.
The Alabama Farmers Federation and the Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association were among the organizations participating through the Ag Wage Reform Coalition. The group held a press conference and roundtable February 23 in the nation’s capital with bipartisan congressional staff, industry supporters and coalition members.
Chris Butts, executive director of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, highlighted the coalition’s growing reach, saying there are now growers and representatives from 39 organizations across nine states involved in the effort.
The meeting also gave farmers a chance to thank the Trump Administration for the Adverse Effect Wage Rate Interim Final Rule while urging Congress to strengthen the H-2A program through lasting reform.
AFVGA Executive Director Blake Thaxton says Alabama growers depend on the program.
Thaxton says, “Alabama farms rely on the H-2A program, which provides life-changing economic opportunity to guest workers. It’s imperative we back the farmers who put food on our tables.”
