Farmworker Women Applaud Historical Changes to Farm Bill, Hopeful for Future

WASHINGTON D.C. - Alianza is pleased to read language in the Senate’s proposal of the Farm Bill that specifically addresses farmworker needs and hopes. For far too long, farmworkers have been neglected when it comes to this critical omnibus legislation that regulates most facets of our food and farm system, from conservation policy and pricing, to nutrition and food aid. Featuring farmworker needs - particularly through revising the Farmworker Coordinator position - is an important first step in improving the lives of our country’s two to three million agricultural workers.

In terms of details, the legislation renames the current position of Farmworker Coordinator within the Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement, to Farm and Food System Workforce Coordinator. Besides including food system workers to the Coordinator’s perview, additional duties for the Coordinator are listed, including those related to improved reporting and advising capacities. Concerning advising, a new committee would be created to advise the Secretary of Agriculture on how to improve farmworker and food system worker safety, as well as access to agricultural education opportunities and job training. Other changes include requiring the Secretary to establish a Farm and Food System Workforce Interagency Council to facilitate interagency, cabinet-level leadership in planning, policymaking, coordination, and program development for services available to farm and food system workers. The legislation authorizes necessary appropriations for carrying out these new provisions from 2025 through 2029.

Created first in the 2008 Farm Bill, the office of Farmworker coordinator has been relatively neglected in terms of staffing and resources over the years. These changes and others - summarized here - would bolster the office, dedicating critical attention to improving how the government connects with the millions of essential workers who make America’s farms operate.

To be conferenced with the House version of the bill, which most likely will be different on many points, we hope that these provisions concerning farmworkers find their way into final legislation. The current Farm Bill, which was set to expire last year before receiving a one year extension, could become law as soon as September of this year before the election season begins.

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