MICHIGAN FARM BUREAU

Immigration

Michigan Farm Bureau continues to advocate for a long-term solution to our agricultural workforce needs. We continue to communicate to Congress on the out-of-control growth in the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) and challenges with the H-2A visa program. We are also concerned with a few recent rules from the Biden Administration and shared those concerns with Congress. Michigan Farm Bureau communicated with Congress in opposition to the last administrations Department of Labors rule regarding the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) methodology for the Temporary Employment of H-2A Nonimmigrants (Employment and Training Administration, Department of Labor, Docket Number ETA-2021-0006). The rule neglects to account for the fact that farm job descriptions often include many different responsibilities not just one role as the rule assumes. MFB is urging Congress to undue these rulemakings. MFB is also supporting H.R. 1624 the Supporting Farm Operations Act introduced by Rep. John Moolenaar. The bill would pause the AEWR at the 2023 level thru the end of 2026.

TargetedSENATE · HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Agriculture

Michigan Farm Bureau continues to advocate for the 2025 Farm Bill to be completed on time. Our priorities for the bill include: Increase baseline funding commitments to farm programs (reference price increase, commodity loan rates) as they have not kept up with inflation Maintain a unified, bipartisan farm bill which includes nutrition programs and farm programs together Prioritize funding for risk management tools which include both federal crop insurance and commodity programs (ARC, PLC, DMC) Ensure adequate USDA staffing capacity and technical assistance Maintain funding for voluntary, working lands conservation programs. Support trade promotion programs like Foreign Market Development (FMD) and Market Assistance Program (MAP) Ensuring adequate funding for the specialty crop industry with emphasis on fundamental research, marketing & promotion, and pest management programs Funding for ag research and education Support addressing interstate commerce issues impacting the livestock and poultry industry