Montana Farm Bureau thanks Congressmen for workforce legislation

BOZEMAN — The Montana Farm Bureau strongly supports the Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act of 2026, legislation introduced by House Agriculture Committee Chair G.T. Thompson. The legislation builds on recommendations of the bipartisan Agricultural Labor Working Group and modernizes the H-2A visa program by expanding access to a year-round workforce and eliminating unpredictable swings in wage rates, among other changes.

“Montana Farm Bureau would like to thank both Representative Ryan Zinke and Representative Troy Downing for signing on as co-sponsors of this crucial bill,” said MFBF Senior Director of Governmental Affairs Nicole Rolf. “We appreciate that they are listening to the concerns of our farmer and rancher members and working to help find a solution. Farmers and ranchers have been struggling for years to find employees and that problem is only intensifying. This legislation updates the H2A program, making meaningful improvements that help Montana farmers and ranchers secure a needed workforce.”

South African H-2A workers for Drange Apiary in Laurel.

Hispanic H-2A workers for Flathead Valley Hops in Kalispell.

South African H-2A worker on a cattle operation near Culbertson.

American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall explained, “The lack of available labor is among the largest limiting factors of American agriculture. Most Americans don’t want to work on farms. In fact, only 182 domestic applications were submitted for nearly 415,000 advertised positions in 2025. If Americans won’t apply for these jobs, we have no other choice but to depend on the H-2A program. Unfortunately, the current guest worker program is inadequate to meet the demands on farms across the country.”

“We are grateful to Chairman G.T. Thompson for listening to America’s farmers,” Duvall added. “Farm Bureau members participated in the bipartisan House Agriculture Labor Working Group, and they shared the obstacles to participation in guest worker programs. Their needs are largely addressed in the Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act. It delivers meaningful farm labor reform and will provide certainty and fairness to both farmers and their employees as they contribute to a strong and healthy food supply.”

The Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act would:

• Allow temporary workers to remain on the job for up to 350 days in one year, which gives dairies and cattle ranches greater access to the H-2A program;

• Limit excessive or irrelevant federal fees to participate in the H-2A program, which will make it more affordable for farmers;

• Codify an improved wage methodology and establish safeguards to prevent unpredictable Adverse Effect Wage Rate fluctuations.

Farm Bureau strongly supports the Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act and urges Congress to pass it. “We are committed to working with lawmakers to ensure farmers have access to an adequate workforce to continue producing healthy and affordable food for America’s families,” Duvall concluded.