Labor concerns dominate Farm Bureau meeting

Monroe County Farm Bureau held their annual meeting Thursday, September 28 at Springdale Farm. The meeting featured a panel discussion on farm labor with speaker Paul Baker of Agriculture Affiliates, Bob Hokanson of NY Farm Bureau and Cathy Martin, vice president of Monroe County Farm Bureau. Paul Baker and Bob Hokanson have been working with representatives in Washington to pass legislation that would allow for a guest worker program. All three speakers stressed the importance of having a solid and usable system for controlling worker movement across the border so that farmers could secure a reliable worker base.

H2A is the current program in place to obtain foreign workers. "I can't say that I recommend the H2A program, but if you decide to use it, find someone to help you through the process," said Cathy Martin. The H2A program is complex, expensive and cumbersome. The limited visas also create a problem for operations that require extensive training and year round labor, such as dairy operations. Farm Bureau members hope that a guest worker program will create a system that is easier for farmers to use to get the help they need year round.

Maintaining a sustainable legal workforce has been a major concern for farmers nationwide for over 20 years. Recent increased national attention on border security, immigration and illegal workers has helped labor concerns replace energy costs as the number one concern facing agriculture today. As Paul Baker put it, labor is in "critical condition." With November elections approaching in both the House and the Senate, it is doubtful that Washington will have a solution any time soon.

The meeting concluded with the passing of resolutions for the next year. The members also elected a new county president, Kim Zuber of Zuber Farms in Churchville. Cathy Martin was named vice president. Marty Schutt, Dan Chase, Jessica Sweeney, Sherrie Maysick and Jim Doan were named to the Board of Directors. Alayne Doan was elected to the Promotion and Education Chair and Nathan Hatch to the Young Farmer and Rancher Chair.

For information about Farm Bureau and its policies contact Monroe County Farm Bureau at 1-877-383-7663.

October 8, 2006