The balance between ag labor with border security

When discussing immigration, it’s important that the agriculture sector balances two critical sides: the need for a dependable supply of farm labor as well as enhanced border security. The American Farm Bureau Federation recently released a video that comes in the midst of heated political debate just months ahead of the presidential election.

Farmers and ranchers know that you cannot address immigration reform without tackling the issue of border security, AFBF President Zippy Duvall said in a press release. The question, however, is whether there are practical solutions on the horizon.

Across the nation, farmers and ranchers are experiencing a labor crisis. Reliable and skilled farm workers are harder to come by with each harvest season. And, without an efficient and legal way for a dependable supply of farm workers to enter the country, more U.S. crops are being left to rot in the field. That means consumers will be less able to enjoy American-grown products, according to the video.

“When we fix immigration reform, we need to remember what America really is: It’s a melting pot,” Duvall said. “All of us come from another culture. We came, or our ancestors did, looking to work hard and build a better life for our families.”