Farm labor is a big issue on ag lawmaker’s plates this year. It has been in the spotlight with President Trump’s deportation efforts.
Researchers at CoBank have been studying the issue for some time now, and they warn it could soon have a big impact on not just farms, but rural communities as a whole.
CoBank warns the already tight labor market could get even more strained, especially in areas like the upper Midwest. They found that those communities often lack the flow of immigrants needed to offset the aging ag workforce.
CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange warns that areas facing labor issues right now will not see relief anytime soon. They also warn that the problem will not cycle out.
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Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer says the labor program will now be fully under her department, and consolidation will make the program more affordable and efficient for farmers and ranchers.
“Where I think it’s headed is to a solution... the agricultural industry needs and has needed for a long time.”
