North Carolina’s farmers depend heavily on the federal H-2A guest worker visa program to bring in seasonal labor. But for many, especially small and mid-sized farms, the program is costly, complex, and riddled with red tape. Rising compliance costs, confusing regulations, and slow processing times leave farmers struggling to fill critical labor shortages.
To address this, model legislation has been written to create the North Carolina Agricultural Guest Worker Reform Working Group. The purpose of the Working Group is to bring together farmers, lawmakers, agencies, and worker advocates to study how the H-2A program impacts North Carolina agriculture and to push for commonsense reforms at the federal level.
The Working Group would include voices from across the spectrum: representatives from the Department of Agriculture, Department of Commerce, and Department of Labor; members of the legislature; representatives from the Farm Bureau and Growers Association; small and mid-sized farm owners; labor contractors; academics; and representatives from nonprofits serving immigrant and seasonal workers. This inclusivity would ensure both that the needs of farmers and the rights of workers are part of the discussion.
Its job would be to examine how the H-2A program currently works in North Carolina, identify pain points, and study best practices from other states. The Working Group would then develop recommendations for federal policymakers — such as streamlining the application process, adjusting wage and housing requirements, and creating more flexibility for farms with year-round labor needs.
Ultimately, the Working Group’s goal is to strengthen North Carolina’s voice in national policy debates and secure much-needed labor for farmers across America. The legislation can be found below.
