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Michigan Congressman Upton acknowledges ag labor concerns

Michigan Congressman Fred Upton joined farmers troubled by H2A guest worker delays to learn how hold ups at the Department of Labor are hindering agriculture.

Upton tells Brownfield he’s listening to farmers and the bureaucratic nightmare that’s threating their livelihood.  “Whether they’ve got stuff in the ground and need to get it out a little bit later in the year or not able to get it into the ground is a huge issue for us right now.”

He says as a big supporter of immigration reform, he sees the H2A program as a way for farms to source seasonal labor. But, he says it needs improvement.  “To deny the operators of these operations the ability to reap their due profits for hard work because of the lack of labor is just flat out wrong.”

Upton says he wants to help farmers and is trying to expedite paperwork if possible in Southwest Michigan.

Upton spoke with Brownfield after a meeting of local farmers came together to discuss H2A challenges at Russell Costanza Farms in Sodus.

AUDIO: Farmers voice concerns to Upton