CHILTON, Wis. — American Dairy Coalition (ADC) applauds the June 30 introduction of the bipartisan Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act (SAWA), H.R. 9535. This legislation led by House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-Pa.) with 50 original bipartisan cosponsors would modernize agricultural workforce policy for the first time since 1986.

For dairy farmers, the legislation is especially significant because current H-2A visa rules largely serve seasonal agriculture, while dairy requires a legal, reliable workforce every day of the year.

“This bill’s introduction is a major milestone for dairy farmers who have waited decades for meaningful workforce reform,” said Laurie Fischer, ADC CEO. “Year-round dairy farms need year-round employees for hard-to-fill jobs requiring continuity of skilled animal care, handling, and milking. This legislation finally recognizes that reality. Multigenerational family dairies that rely on additional employees for daily tasks would have options and workable solutions under this bill.”

Fischer also thanked ADC members who responded to the coalition’s June 17 Action Alert encouraging Representatives to become original cosponsors.

“We appreciate Chairman Thompson, the bipartisan cosponsors, and every ADC member who contacted Congress,” Fischer said. “Grassroots engagement helped build momentum, and we’ll keep working until this legislation reaches the finish line.”

Speaking at the bill’s June 30 press conference, Thompson thanked what he described as “an army of original cosponsors” and predicted additional support from a “second wave of cosponsors” as the legislation advances.

“This is a bill written by agricultural stakeholders for agricultural stakeholders,” Thompson said, noting the legislation is the product of the bipartisan Agricultural Labor Working Group he established in 2023 to develop consensus recommendations for modernizing the nation’s agricultural workforce system and the insights from farmers during his 160 farm bill listening sessions across 43 states and one U.S. territory.

The legislation focuses on three goals: expanding access, controlling costs, and streamlining the H-2A program.

“Chairman Thompson’s bipartisan Ag Labor Working Group took the time to listen to farmers across the country, and dairy’s year-round labor needs were consistently part of that conversation,” Fischer said. “We’re encouraged to see those recommendations now reflected in legislation.”

Several lawmakers highlighted dairy’s unique labor needs during the Capitol Hill press conference.

Rep. Josh Riley (D-N.Y.) said dairy farmers consistently tell him labor is their greatest concern. “When I visit our dairy farms and ask what keeps them up at night, the answer I get the most is that our immigration system is completely broken. It’s hurting our dairy farms who can’t get access to the labor they need.”

Rep. Mike Simpson (R-Idaho), who has worked on agricultural labor reform for two decades, said the timing is finally right. “It became impossible to get it done… with the open border. But since the President has closed the border, I think we can get this done.”

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall offered perhaps the most personal testimony, describing how after three generations of dairy farming he ultimately quit milking cows, something he loved, because he could no longer find dependable labor. He noted the current H-2A program has never adequately served dairy because it excludes year-round agricultural employment.

Key dairy provisions of SAWA include:

  • Replacing the restrictive “seasonal” standard with a broader temporary labor standard that better accommodates year-round agriculture.
  • Expanding access to legal agricultural workers.
  • Bringing greater certainty to the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR).
  • Modernizing the H-2A application process through a one-stop online portal.
  • Protecting experienced agricultural employees and their employers during the transition into the H-2A program.

ADC encourages Congress to advance the legislation and urges dairy farmers and allied agricultural businesses to continue contacting their Representatives in support of the Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act.

For more information, contact American Dairy Coalition at 920-288-2322 or info@americandairycoalitioninc.com.