The U.S. State Department has decided to keep processing visas for seasonal ag workers. While that’s helpful for one segment of agriculture, it doesn’t do much to help dairy or pork producers who need year-round labor. Mitch Schulte is Executive Director of the Iowa State Dairy Association.
He says the long term goal for his association and the entire dairy industry is getting Congress to pass a comprehensive Immigration Bill that includes a solid guest worker program for agriculture.
Schulte says while addressing the ag labor shortage is a major concern, their primary goal right now with the COVID 19 pandemic is making sure they can get dairy products to consumers in a timely and effective way.
While State Department officials say they’re aware of the need for H2A seasonal workers, Schulte says they also need to keep in mind the need for immigrant workers who are on the job all year.
