More than 93 percent of CA members surveyed say guestworker program provides dependable labor for agriculture jobs

Based on a recent survey, more than 93 percent of the members of Communicating for America (CA) that responded to the survey say the H-2A foreign guestworker program is important to American farmers in providing a dependable supply of labor. More than 95 percent say H-2A regulations are too cumbersome for farmers who “play by the rules."

In addition, almost 92 percent of those surveyed support allowing employees of wineries, horticulture operations and horse farms to be included with sheepherders, goat herders and dairy workers in being able to apply for a 12-month visa under the H-2A program. This provision would address the problem of allowing only a ten month visa because of the temporary visa category.

"Despite the recent high unemployment figures, all areas of agriculture have seen the need for additional labor and American workers have not been able to fulfill that need," said Wayne Nelson, CA President. "This is not an immigration issue, it is a labor issue - these workers are here for a limited time, work hard and then return to their home countries."

"I have been working with the H-2A program for over ten years on our farm," said a survey respondent. "The program is not perfect but is workable. This year, given higher unemployment than the U.S. has seen in decades, I was still not able to hire one qualified worker from the employment office referrals. It only proves that there is not a sufficient labor supply available."

Referring to the ten month limit, another survey respondent said, "I believe that cattle and farming are hurt by the limit."

"The temporary designation was set more than 30 years ago and labor needed just for the harvest season has now turned into a need for year-round workers," Nelson concluded.

Communicating for America is a 36-year-old non-partisan and non-profit national association made up of farmers and small businesses all across rural America. For more information on CA, visit the Web site at www.communicatingforamerica.org.

AgJOBS Survey Results

Do you agree that the H-2A guestworker program is important to America's farmers in providing a dependable supply of labor?

Do you believe that the current H-2A regulations are overly cumbersome for farmers and ranchers who are trying to "play by the rules", and in some cases can contribute to increased numbers of undocumented workers, which ultimately hurts both American and foreign agriculture workers?

Do you support allowing employees of wineries, horticulture operations, and horse farms to be included with sheepherders, goat herders, and dairy workers in being able to apply for 12-month visas under the H-2A program?