State Dairy Policy Leaders Push for Ag Labor Reform on Capitol Hill

Ag Labor Reform Takes Center Stage on Capitol Hill

Ag labor reform moved to the front of the conversation this week as dairy advocates from across the country walked the halls of Congress. On Wednesday, July 15, they urged lawmakers to back meaningful changes to the agricultural workforce system. Their visit capped a two-day summit hosted by the National Milk Producers Federation in Washington, D.C.

More than three dozen farmers and industry leaders made the trip. Because dairy operations run every day of the year, they came ready to explain why the current labor system falls short. As a result, their message carried real weight with the lawmakers and staff they met.

Why Dairy Farmers Are Pushing for Ag Labor Reform

The summit brought together state dairy association leaders to share priorities and strategies. Meanwhile, they tackled issues ranging from truck weights and investment tax credits to workforce policy. However, ag labor reform stood out as the top concern.

Much of the discussion centered on legislation introduced last month by House Agriculture Committee Chairman G.T. Thompson, R-Pa. The bill, called the Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act, aims to build a workable labor system for dairy farmers. Additionally, advocates called it the most significant workforce reform seen in decades.

“Ag labor is one of the most important issues of any in agriculture right now,” said Doug Holland. Holland farms near Olin, North Carolina, and serves as president of the North Carolina Dairy Producers Association. He spent Wednesday meeting with lawmakers to make that case in person.

Holland did not stop there. He also listed passing a farm bill and keeping all varieties of milk in school meals as top priorities. Consequently, his visit touched on several issues important to dairy families nationwide.

Inside the Push for Ag Labor Reform

Dairy farmers and advocates held roughly 50 meetings with lawmakers and Hill staff on Wednesday. Because face-to-face conversations often move the needle, these meetings gave farmers a chance to explain daily realities on the farm.

The proposed legislation addresses a long-standing gap for dairy producers. For example, it grants meaningful access to the H-2A program, the main agricultural labor visa. Currently, that program requires seasonal work, which does not fit dairy operations.

Thompson’s bill removes those seasonal requirements. Instead, it allows contracts of up to 350 days a year. Furthermore, it streamlines the application process and addresses cost concerns that have frustrated farmers.

The bill also offers a targeted path for the current dairy workforce. Therefore, it helps existing workers transition into a workable visa program. Advocates say this smoother move to H-2A protects both farmers and the people who keep dairies running.

What the State Dairy Association Summit Covered

The State Dairy Association Summit began Tuesday with a focus on state-level policy. Speakers discussed legislative and regulatory issues affecting dairy producers close to home. Additionally, they shared updates on NMPF’s federal policy work.

Subject matter experts and industry leaders led much of the conversation. As a result, attendees left with fresh strategies for both state and national advocacy. The summit reflects NMPF’s expanded service on state-level policy.

For many farmers, the trip offered more than a policy briefing. It gave them a voice in decisions that shape their livelihoods and their families’ futures. While the work was demanding, the sense of shared purpose was clear.

Why Ag Labor Reform Matters Going Forward

Dairy farmers cannot pause their work for a season. Cows need care every morning and every night. Therefore, a labor system built around seasonal crops leaves dairy producers in a difficult spot.

Ag labor reform would help close that gap. It would give farmers a dependable workforce and steady the milk supply that families count on. Consequently, the outcome of this legislation could shape rural communities for years.

The National Milk Producers Federation, based in Arlington, Virginia, develops policies that advance dairy producers and the cooperatives they own. Its member cooperatives produce more than two-thirds of U.S. milk. That reach makes NMPF a leading voice for dairy on Capitol Hill.

Farmers and advocates now wait to see how lawmakers respond. Meanwhile, the push for ag labor reform continues. Readers should watch for progress on the Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act and the broader farm bill in the months ahead.

To learn more, visit the National Milk Producers Federation online at www.nmpf.org.