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Guest worker wage rates a prominent issue for Farm Bureau

Ag labor challenges are sure to continue in the New Year.

Minnesota Farm Bureau president Dan Glessing says possible fixes for guest worker wage rates were recently discussed during an American Farm Bureau board meeting.

“It’s increasing annually 8 to 12 percent and that’s pretty unsustainable.”

The Minnesota dairy farmer tells Brownfield a potential consequence is having to import food from countries with fewer safety standards.

“Instead of our labor, and we’ve got the ability to produce that food right here at home. But we do need help getting it harvested and whatnot. “

He calls H-2A a good program.

“But when we’re talking about the salaries that they make, you also have to provide housing, meals, and provide transportation.”

He says the wage rate is only about half of what ag employers are actually paying guest workers.