NASDA POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE AG WORKFORCE
Compiled by Suz Trusty
Governmental decisions—local, county, state, and national— have a direct impact on every farm and farmer in the U.S. To better navigate the ocean of laws, rules, and regulations, farmers need allies, entities that understand the issues you are facing, and that are equipped and empowered to express your position to the appropriate governmental decision makers. Allies are especially important for specialty crop farmers—including those focusing on turfgrass production—who have crop-specific issues and concerns in addition to those involved in producing commodity crops.
Te most powerful ally at the state level is the state’s secretary of agriculture. Tose individuals combine their efforts to take your message to the national level though the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA). NASDA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit association which represents the elected and appointed commissioners, secretaries, and directors of the departments of agriculture in all 50 states and four U.S. territories. NASDA enhances American food and agricultural communities through policy, partnerships, and public engagement. To learn more about NASDA, please visit
www.nasda.org.
According to a press release issued on January 17, 2023, NASDA has selected seven issues to serve as the organization’s primary policy focus for 2023. Tey include the 2023 Farm Bill, animal health, environmental regulations, food production and the supply chain, food safety, international trade, and workforce development.
In that press release, NASDA CEO Ted McKinney remarked, “Tese issues were chosen for the organization’s 2023 focus as NASDA members see specific opportunities for progress regarding each of these areas to best serve farmers, ranchers, and all communities across the nation. Further, we believe these are the areas where state departments of agriculture are uniquely positioned to lead impact and direct policymaking solutions this year.”
Because the focus of this issue of Turf News is “Tackling Labor Issues,” we’ve listed some key points from NASDA’s 2023 workforce development initiatives below.
Background
NASDA will be working with the Federal government, private industry, and academia to identify and address agricultural workforce challenges. Te future of our farmers, our economic competitiveness, and our local economies is in your hands. Both farmers and U.S. consumers have
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been haunted by the labor shortages, which are driving up prices and threatening U.S. agriculture’s place in the global marketplace. Te time for action is now.
By 2026, nearly 25 percent of the U.S. workforce will be aged 55 and older (Bureau of Labor Statistics). Te agricultural and food sectors are comprised of more than 21 million full and part-time jobs, and that number continues to rise annually (USDA Economic Research Service). Tis means that in less than nine years, more than 5.35 million jobs will be available and necessary in the agriculture and food sectors.
Covid-19 has shown the importance of needing a stable workforce to minimize supply chain disruptions. Texas A&M International University released data from a new economic study highlighting the link between stabilizing the agricultural workforce and decreasing inflation and consumer prices. Tis study shows that ensuring farmers have a stable, secure, reliable, and legal workforce is crucial to keeping America’s grocery shelves stocked, combating inflation, and lowering food prices for all domestic consumers.
Addressing workforce shortages facing farm employers and stabilizing the H-2A visa application process is also crucial for enhancing our national food security by protecting domestic agriculture production. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), for the first time in U.S. history, we as a country will be importing more agricultural goods than we export in 2023.
Rural America continues to see high outward migration of young adults because of real or perceived low wages and career limitations. With the expansion of rural broadband and greater connectivity, the marketability of rural America as a destination provides new opportunities for rural economic development. Congress and the administration must elevate existing rural development programs while creating new rural development programs that build upon the significant deployment of rural broadband.
Labor and Immigration
As Congress considers immigration legislation, NASDA recommends the following criteria:
• Respect for and recognition of the importance of our current experienced workforce to the sustainability of U.S.- based agricultural production and food security.
• Create a mechanism for workers to earn legal status based on agricultural work experience.
TPI Turf News March/April 2023
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