WASHINGTON, DC (RFD NEWS) — House Agriculture Committee Chairman GT Thompson has introduced legislation aimed at making the H-2A farmworker program more usable for year-round agriculture.
The Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act would change program eligibility from work that is temporary or seasonal to work that is temporary, with contracts lasting less than 350 days.
That could open clearer access for dairy, livestock, aquaculture, forestry, controlled environment agriculture, equine operations, and some meat and poultry processing. Supporters say current rules no longer fit farms that need labor beyond narrow harvest seasons.
The bill also addresses costs and paperwork. It would create multi-year labor and housing certifications, limit annual adverse effect wage rate changes, allow worker transfers between certified employers, and require a single online H-2A platform.
The proposal includes heat illness prevention plans and a limited waiver process for certain current agricultural workers seeking H-2A status. It does not include a pathway to citizenship.
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Dairy producers are watching closely as new federal legislation aims to expand access to the H-2A visa program, a move industry groups say could help address long-standing labor shortages in the sector.
Alan Bjerga with the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) joined us on Tuesday’s Market Day Report with his reaction to the legislative announcement.
In his interview with RFD News, Bjerga says the proposal represents an important step forward, but cautions that it is still only the beginning of a long legislative process. He noted that while the bill lays out a pathway for potential year-round access to H-2A for dairy operations, it does not immediately change current law.
Bjerga explained that dairy operations have historically been excluded from H-2A eligibility due to the program’s seasonal structure, while dairy labor needs are year-round. He said the proposed changes would represent the first major agricultural immigration reform effort in roughly four decades if ultimately enacted.
He added that while USDA has offered limited clarifications allowing some dairy operations with seasonal components to access the program, those provisions do not address the full scope of daily dairy labor needs such as milking and herd management.
Bjerga also pointed to ongoing concerns from producers regarding the administrative complexity of the H-2A program, including regulatory requirements, housing standards, and paperwork burdens that can vary widely across farm operations.
Despite those challenges, he said the inclusion of a 350-day work provision under the proposal is being viewed as a significant potential win for dairy producers seeking more stable workforce solutions.
Looking ahead, Bjerga emphasized that the bill faces a difficult political path in an election year and with limited legislative days remaining. However, he said bipartisan interest and ongoing advocacy from agricultural leaders could help build momentum for future progress, even if final passage is not immediate.
