The wheels of Washington can turn pretty slow, and the dairy industry is impatiently waiting for movement on many projects when Congress returns from its August recess.
The House passed the Workforce Modernization Act and it’s been introduced in the Senate.
“The big part of this piece of legislation would open up H-2A workers for dairy producers [who] need full time employees 12 months a year,” said Doug Chapin, owner of Chapin Family Farms in Montcalm County, and board chair for the Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA). “Right now, H-2A workers only qualify under seasonal status, and dairy has always needed a year-round labor force.”
Last month, the Senate Judiciary Committee heard testimony from farmers about the need for reform. Dairy producers are assuming the Senate will make a few changes in this bill, but it hasn’t gone further than the committee.
“We think that there’s an opportunity to maybe get something across the finish line this time,” said Chapin. “We have been down this road a few times in years past, but we’ve never been able to actually get it across the finish line. I think everyone in Congress can see the value in year-round employees for dairy. I’ve talked with dairy producers around the state and within a minute of a conversation, the talk goes to, ‘I cannot get enough labor to do the work I need to do.’”
However, one USDA program could be up and running in a matter of days. The Dairy Donation Program is a $400 million program that will help communities tackle food insecurities through dairy products.
“The program is one that was built on MMPA and Kroger’s Dairy Donation Program we started in Michigan several years ago,” said Chapin. “Our organization has contributed 250,000 gallons of milk into food banks. It helps build the relationship between the dairy producers, processors, and the community in helping with the food security issue. It offers a way for the producer and the processor to be compensated at cost for these products.”
Chapin said between National Milk Producers Association (NMPF) and MMPA, they’ve reached out to Sens. Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters, urging for action on ag labor reform and the importance to Michigan’s dairy farmers.
