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Trump tells farmer roundtable labor issues need to be addressed

Fourteen farmers met with President Trump in Washington on Tuesday to share their top concerns, trade and labor.

“Everyone spoke of the need of getting a program that allows agriculture to have the labor force that is necessary to not only work on our farms but harvest the produce that we have on our operations.”

Michigan dairy and cash crop farmer Hank Choate tells Brownfield after several producers from diverse backgrounds shared personal accounts with the President of labor challenges including shortages and immigration issues, Trump promised to take action.  “There were multiple times as we discussed various issues, he would turn to Secretary Perdue and say, ‘I need you to take care of this.’ As I spoke in regard to ag labor and so forth, he says, ‘We’ve got to figure out how we can get this corrected.’”

Choate says he was reassured after the experience that Trump is listening to the needs of American agriculture and is hopeful the administration will make ag labor a priority.

AUDIO: Interview with Hank Choate