Major livestock groups are applauding new legislation that would expand the H-2A guest worker program to year-round agriculture, calling it the most significant farm labor reform proposal in decades. The Securing Agriculture's Workforce Act, introduced by House Agriculture Committee Chairman G. T. Thompson, would allow dairy and pork producers to use H-2A workers by removing the program's seasonal requirement and permitting contracts of up to 350 days. The National Milk Producers Federation said the bill would finally give dairy farms access to a legal guest worker program while helping current employees transition into a workable visa system. "This will ensure we don't face a major workforce disruption as dairy farms transition to H-2A,” said NMPF President and CEO Gregg Doud. The National Pork Producers Council also endorsed the measure, saying it would provide year-round livestock operations with access to a more reliable workforce. “Agriculture needs a stronger workforce,” said NPPC President Rob Brenneman.
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