Midwest Council on Agriculture Leads Ag Labor Fly-In to Advocate for Workforce Solutions
Washington, D.C. – The Midwest Council on Agriculture recently led a delegation of agricultural producers and industry leaders to Washington, D.C. to advocate for practical workforce solutions that support the long-term success of American agriculture. The delegation met with Members of Congress and congressional staff to discuss agricultural labor challenges and the need for reforms to the federal H-2A program.
Representing diverse sectors of Midwestern agriculture, the group included hog producers, dairy industry leaders, and grain farmers who shared firsthand experiences about workforce shortages and the impact labor challenges have on food production, farm viability, and rural economies.
A primary focus of the fly-in was Chairman G.T. Thompson's Securing Agriculture's Workforce Act (SAWA) and broader efforts to modernize the H-2A program to better reflect the needs of today's agricultural operations. Discussions emphasized the importance of creating legal, reliable workforce pathways for both seasonal and year-round agricultural employees, particularly for livestock sectors such as dairy, pork, and cattle production.
Throughout the two-day fly-in, Midwest Council representatives met with congressional offices from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Ohio, Kansas, and California, including members serving on key agriculture and judiciary committees. Participants highlighted the growing workforce challenges facing farms and agribusinesses across the Midwest and discussed policy solutions that would help ensure agriculture can continue to meet domestic and global food demands.
"Access to a stable and legal workforce remains one of the most significant challenges facing many agricultural producers today," said North Dakota farmer and MWCA Vice President Jarred Billadeau, "Our group appreciated the opportunity to share real-world perspectives with policymakers and explain why these labor reforms are essential to our farming operations."
The delegation stressed that workforce availability affects every part of the agricultural supply chain, from livestock operations and grain production to food processing and rural economic development. Participants encouraged Congress to continue working toward bipartisan solutions that provide certainty for employers while supporting a robust agricultural workforce.
About the Midwest Council on Agriculture
The Midwest Council on Agriculture is a coalition of agricultural leaders working to advance policies that strengthen the agricultural economy, promote growth opportunities for farmers and agribusinesses, and ensure the long-term competitiveness of Midwestern agriculture.