Stallman, continued
An enforcement-only approach ignores the
rest of our immigration problems and threatens
to devastate the farm economy. Farmers and
ranchers are careful to follow the federal
government’s requirements for checking
employment documents, and will continue to do
so. But e-Verify by itself puts the onus on farmers
and ranchers who are already hard pressed to find
skilled workers.
The fallout would harm the entire economy.
Farm Bureau estimates that food production would
fall by $30 billion to $60 billion in the U.S. if the
government implements a strict enforcement-only
employment verification system.
As food demand grows, farmers will respond
with increased production. The problem is our
current immigration laws all but guarantee it
won’t be on our soil, because most Americans are
simply not willing to take these jobs. Consumers,
meanwhile, should expect their grocery bills to
increase 5 to 6 percent.
Washington has a long tradition of granting
special carve-outs and exemptions to laws that
fall unevenly on some sectors, but that won’t
solve the problem we face. Farmers and ranchers
aren’t looking for an exemption: We need a
solution. That solution may not be a quick fix,
but it can and must be done. We need a new,
flexible visa program that allows foreignborn workers to enter the U.S. legally. Skilled
laborers currently working in agriculture also
need a way to earn an adjustment in status and
stay working here, on American farms. Farm
Bureau is committed to continuing our work with
Congress to reform our immigration system.
We must not only secure our borders: We must
secure the future of agriculture. Key to getting
that job done is ensuring a stable workforce.
Nominations Sought for 2015
“West Virginia Women In
Agriculture”
The West Virginia Department of Agriculture
(WVDA) is seeking nominations for the 2015
West Virginia Women in Agriculture” program.
Nominations are due by June 1, and those making the
nominations are asked to provide as much detail about
the nominee’s agricultural career as possible.
Induction is granted to those women who have
made significant contributions to the establishment,
development, advancement or improvement of West
Virginia agriculture, forestry or specialty crops in the
Mountain State. Biographies of the selected women
will be featured on WVDA displays during the State
Fair of West Virginia.
For more information call 304-558-2210, or email
[email protected] or see the WVDA website at
www.wvagriculture.org.
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West Virginia Farm Bureau News 23