Property passes legislation to aid neighborhood farms, dairies

WASHINGTON (News10) — On Thursday night, the House passed H.R. 1603, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act. The bipartisan legislation will provide aid to area farms and dairies by means of reforms that boost and streamline the short term visa plan and strengthen protections for agricultural personnel.

Congressman Paul Tonko was one of the reps to support the passage of the act.

“As the grandson of dairy farmers, I understand firsthand the challenges struggling with New York’s family members farms and dairies,” said Congressman Tonko. “Strengthening America’s seasonal guest employee program will preserve many New York farms and communities that have endured main losses yr just after year just simply because they can not come across staff to do the job at harvest or milking time. Our dairies in specific have struggled with out any guest worker software or other means to fill the labor requires of their calendar year-spherical operations.”

“New York Farm Bureau is pleased to see the Farm Workforce Modernization Act advance and many thanks Consultant Tonko for his guidance of the laws,” said David Fisher, New York Farm Bureau President. “The invoice would deliver much necessary agricultural labor reforms that tackle the demands of farmworkers at present in New York as nicely as growing the agricultural visa method to incorporate year-spherical labor. This would supply a lot more balance for farmworkers and farm employers alike, in particular dairy farms, and improve our food system in this region.”

Tonko claims the Farm Workforce Modernization Act:

• Assures at the very least half of the 60,000 year-spherical H-2As in excess of the 1st a few many years
• Reforms the H-2A visa method to incorporate adaptability for companies and personnel by making it possible for staggered worker entry, a single software progress, and specific wage reforms
• Improvements the Certified Agriculture Worker (CAW) visas to give the dairy industry, which has been worsened by the COVID pandemic, accessibility to a stable, legal workforce
• Phases in a mandatory, nationwide E-Confirm approach for all agricultural guest personnel, like guaranteed adhere to-up evaluations for employees that are rejected incorrectly
• Supports much more than 250 agricultural businesses like the New York Farm Bureau