By Erin Dixon | [email protected]
‘Labor shortage’ is a common statement from businesses, and farmers are crying the same.
On June 30, the Utah Farm Bureau Federation, the Salt Lake Chamber and the American Business Immigration Coalition held a press conference to bring awareness to a bill they are lobbying to pass in the Senate to help with the open jobs they struggle to fill.
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Farm Workforce Modernization Act in 2021, but the agricultural industry needs more. The Act established a Certified Agricultural Worker status for aliens that; worked over 1,035 hours of agricultural work during the year before, was previously living here illegally, and had been living in the United States continuously. CAW grants legal residence for five and a half years to the individual, along with dependent spouse and children.
The press release stated the organizations are working for "much-needed improvements on the House's solutions" and want the process to move forward faster into the Senate.
“We (agricultural farm owners) are facing a massive labor shortage,” the press release states. “Agriculture is important. Not only for keeping food on the shelf for Americans but it is one of the foundational engines of our state’s economy.
Sixth generation farmer and president of the Farm Bureau Federation, Ron Gibson, said the unemployment rate in Utah is so low, it is hard to find legal workers.
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