Year-Round Ag Guest Worker Program Nearing Reality

WASHINGTON, DC – The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) is eager to see a much-needed fix to the temporary agricultural guest worker program.

On Tuesday, the House Appropriations Committee approved an amendment to the FY22 Homeland Security funding bill that would expand the H-2A guest worker program from a seasonal use a program that could be accessed year-round.

The bipartisan amendment from Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX) and Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) was popular enough that it passed by voice vote. “Our farmers and ranchers are in desperate need of a legal and reliable workforce,” Newhouse explained. “Unfortunately, the H-2A program does not work for all of agriculture (since) farming methods have become less seasonal or able to produce multiple harvests, the H-2A program must be updated to meet the needs of the agriculture industry.”

With the amendment clearing the Committee, there is growing optimism that it will be included in a short-term continuing resolution (CR) that needs to be passed in the near future.
(SOURCE: All Ag News)