Farmers are using a unique visa program for on-farm help

Labor challenges have been a big hurdle for U.S. producers, and it has led some to explore a unique type of visa program.

“TN visas are part of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, and so they’re designated to nationals of Canada and Mexico who have professional degrees in a set number of professions, including foresters, veterinarians, and a certain number of agricultural professions. From a farmer side, they’re generally used mostly in pork production and dairy production, anyone who has specialized services, and generally doesn’t have access to H-2A because they’re not seasonal,” said Samantha Ayoub.

The Farm Bureau says the program works differently for each country workers come from. They have seen a big increase in applications in recent years, but they end up denying around 20 percent of all applications.

Related Stories
The Small Processors Action Plan will strengthen a strong, safe, and local American food supply
Data centers will continue expanding, but local decisions will determine whether that growth protects agricultural water access or adds stress to already vulnerable production regions.
Ethanol, sorghum, dairy, and cotton provide additional export support as major commodity trade markets remain uneven.
Animal Health Officials Working Quickly to Protect U.S. Livestock and Wildlife
The bovine case was detected in a three-month-old calf in Zavala County, Texas.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Mike Stranz joins us to discuss farm safety net reforms, NFU’s proposed IMSET program, and the challenges facing family farmers nationwide.
The investigation does not prove wrongdoing, but it raises federal scrutiny of a major cost center for crop producers.
For decades, U.S. agriculture has planned around feeding a growing world. Experts say that trend could reverse course in the next 30 years.
Farm Bureau economist Dr. Faith Parum says agriculture still needs to see U.S. products actively moving into China.