U.S. Senator Tim Scott joined Senator Ted Budd and several colleagues in introducing the Farmworker Access and Retention Modernization (FARM) Stability Act, which seeks to codify a Department of Labor initiative aimed at stabilizing agricultural labor costs, according to a Mar. 30 announcement.
The legislation is intended to give farmers more certainty when planning for future growing seasons by providing clarity around labor expenses. This comes as farmers across the country face rising labor costs and changes in wage calculation policies.
Scott said, “Farmers across South Carolina have been struggling with skyrocketing labor costs and an Adverse Effect Wage Rate that simply hasn’t reflected reality. That’s why I’m helping to lead the FARM Stability Act, which establishes a clear, fair, and consistent wage rate for agricultural workers. These reforms will help deliver the stability and predictability our farmers need to keep feeding our nation, while continuing to protect wages in the H-2A program.”
Budd added, “As labor costs continue to climb, our nation’s farmers and ranchers deserve to know the price tag associated with keeping their operations going. Agriculture is North Carolina’s leading industry and a cornerstone of our economy, but without a stable, reliable workforce, our producers cannot plan, threatening both their livelihoods and our nation’s food supply.”
The bill has support from several organizations including Agricultural Workforce Coalition and multiple state farm bureaus. The Agriculture Workforce Coalition said: “The Ag Workforce Coalition appreciates Senator Budd’s leadership and his effort to codify the Administration’s interim final rule on H-2A wages… As the needs of labor-intensive agriculture continue to grow nationwide, we look forward to working with Congress to achieve lasting program reforms as quickly as possible.” Kimberly Foley of Tobacco Associates Inc., also supported the bill: “We strongly support the FARM Stability Act as a practical and necessary step… By bringing greater certainty to agricultural labor policy, this bill addresses a core challenge facing growers while helping protect rural economies that agriculture sustains…”
Background information shows that recent changes by federal agencies have led farmers into uncertainty regarding wage rates for temporary agricultural workers under programs like H-2A. The new legislation aims at locking in recent updates from an Interim Final Rule issued last October by DOL that established annual adjustments for hourly wages.
Scott grew up in a single-parent household in North Charleston; he was raised there before obtaining his Bachelor of Science degree from Charleston Southern University according to his official website. He has held positions on Charleston County Council as well as serving in both South Carolina House of Representatives and U.S. House of Representatives according to his official website. He currently offers constituent services such as assistance with federal agencies for South Carolina residents according to his official website.
Looking ahead, supporters say passage of this act would provide needed stability not only for producers but also help ensure continuity within America’s food supply chain.
