Washington, D.C.--Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) joined Senator Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina) and 15 additional colleagues to introduce the Supporting Farm Operations Act of 2024, which would revert the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) to the December 2023 rate through the end of the 2025 growing season.
An increased AEWR went into effect on January 1, 2024. Nationally, the rate increased by 5.6 percent, and the rate in Idaho increased by five percent, from $15.68 per hour to $16.54 per hour.
“The flawed methodology of the AEWR wage system has led to a 40 percent increase in Idaho since 2015,” said Crapo. “Added on top of this Administration’s never-ending federal agriculture-related regulation, unsustainable increases to AEWR is causing more headaches and more stress for those working to get food on our tables. These challenges are especially harmful to small and family-owned farming operations in Idaho, and continued increases threaten our overall national food security.”
“Our members thank Senator Crapo and all the bill’s co-sponsors for bringing this legislation forward at such an important time,” said Bryan Searle, Idaho Farm Bureau Federation President. “Idaho farmers and ranchers that participate in the H-2A visa program have been hit hard by drastic increases to the AEWR over the past several years. These wage rates do not reflect accurate market conditions and are negatively impacting producers’ ability to produce safe and affordable food. Idaho Farm Bureau Federation thanks Sen. Crapo for his consistent efforts to find solutions for agricultural guestworker reform to ensure that Idaho and American farmers and ranchers can continue to steward the land and produce this nation’s food.”
“Over the past eight years, Oregon’s H-2A rate of pay has increased over 48 percent and in Idaho over 40 percent driving growers and members of the Idaho-Oregon Fruit and Vegetable Association out of business,” said Candi Fitch, Idaho-Oregon Fruit and Vegetable Association Executive Director. “The new rate for the AEWR implemented January 1, 2024, is economically unsustainable, and the increase of 7 percent for Oregon and 5.4 percent for Idaho will significantly raise the cost of production for these labor-intensive crops. Reform for the H2A program is needed that will be suitable for growers of all sizes.”
“As an Idaho grower, the H2A program has allowed us to be more efficient and productive in our farming operation. Idaho’s AEWR has increased over 40 percent since I began using the program,” said Jarom Jemmett, Idaho Onion Growers Association President. “The new rate for the AEWR implemented January 1, 2024, is economically unsustainable. I start the process to get H2A farm workers in November and they won’t get to the farm until the beginning of March. Most growers start planning crop rotation six months before planting in March. It becomes almost impossible to budget for the crops when labor prices haven’t been set for the next year. Consistent and realistic wages for foreign workers are critical for a reliable, and cost competitive food supply.”
Original co-sponsors of the bill include Senators Ted Budd (R-North Carolina), Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska), Roger Marshall (R-Kansas), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming), Tim Scott (R-South Carolina), John Barrasso (R-Wyoming), Mike Braun (R-Indiana), Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Mississippi), Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi), Rick Scott (R-Florida), John Kennedy (R-Louisiana), Jerry Moran (R-Kansas) and Mike Rounds (R-South Dakota).
The Supporting Farm Operations Act of 2024 is supported by the American Farm Bureau Federation.
Full text of the bill is available HERE.