Ag Wage Reform Coalition Urges Action From Congress

By Maggie Edwards

The Ag Wage Reform Coalition gathered in Washington, D.C., last month as members urged Congress to critically improve the H-2A program.

The Alabama Farmers Federation and Alabama Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association (AFVGA) are among 36 organizations fighting to bring positive agricultural labor reform that aid both American farmers and guest workers.

AFVGA Executive Director Blake Thaxton said Alabama was proud to join like-minded associations to fight for a stable Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) to keep the guest worker program financially sustainable.

"Alabama farms rely on the H-2A program, which provides life-changing economic opportunity to guest workers," said Thaxton, who also leads the Federation Greenhouse, Nursery & Sod Division. "It's imperative we back the farmers who put food on our tables."

The coalition held a press conference and roundtable Feb. 23 in the nation's capital. Bipartisan congressional staffers, industry supporters and coalition members joined to thank the Trump Administration for the AEWR Interim Final Rule while also urging Congress to strengthen the H-2A program through lasting reform.

During the press conference, farmers from Georgia and South Carolina emphasized that this is not a partisan issue; it is, instead, a food security issue. Farmers addressed the crowd asking for stability and certainty during a difficult farm economy.

"We appreciate U.S. Reps. Terri Sewell, D-Birmingham, and Dale Strong, R-Madison, for sending members of their staff to hear the concerns of farmers," Thaxton said. "Alabama's delegation continues to stand behind our members. Our growers need a dependable, market-driven program they can count on."