Another mandated increase in H-2A guest farmworker wage rates has made Congressional action on farm labor reform even more critical, according to the Agriculture Workforce Coalition.

Farm labor legislation remains on the back-burner in the Senate, but one advocate hopes to see action by March.

LAS VEGAS — Election-year politics will present a big challenge to reform efforts for H-2A regulations, but growers must be prepared to lobby for changes in the increasingly important farm labor program.

Seeking wage relief for U.S. growers using foreign guest workers, the National Council of Agricultural Employers still wants the U.S. Department of Labor to determine if U.S. workers are hurt by the H-2A program.

Though unlikely to get much support from Democrats, a bill from Rep. Ted Yoho (R-Fla.), aims to establish a year-round ag guest-worker program run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Farmers who use the H-2A guest worker program are facing COVID-19-related delays in the processing and approval of those workers.