WASHINGTON, DC - The Ag Wage Reform Coalition celebrated the formal introduction of the Securing Agriculture's Workforce Act (SAWA) by House Agriculture Committee Chairman G.T. Thompson, marking a major milestone in the effort to modernize America's agricultural workforce system.

The legislation was introduced with the support of more than 400 agricultural organizations representing producers, commodity groups, state and national associations, agribusinesses, and allied organizations from across the country – demonstrating one of the broadest displays of unity around agricultural workforce policy in recent years.

Agricultural leaders from dozens of organizations traveled to Washington, D.C., this week, meeting with lawmakers and participating in the Capitol Hill press conference announcing the legislation. Their presence underscored the industry's shared commitment to securing a stable, legal workforce for American agriculture.

"Today's introduction is the result of years of collaboration and countless conversations among agricultural organizations, growers and congressional leaders," said Chris Butts, spokesperson for the Ag Wage Reform Coalition and Executive Vice President of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, in the recent release. "The support of more than 400 organizations sends a clear message: agriculture is united behind the need for meaningful workforce reform. We appreciate Chairman Thompson and the bipartisan sponsors for advancing this important legislation."

For years, specialty crop growers have faced rising labor costs, workforce shortages, regulatory uncertainty and mounting administrative burdens that threaten the long-term competitiveness of U.S. agriculture. Coalition members believe SAWA provides meaningful reforms that will help create a more stable, predictable workforce system while protecting domestic food production.

Among its key provisions, the legislation would:

• Modernize the H-2A agricultural guest worker program.
• Expand workforce availability to meet the evolving needs of today's agricultural employers.
• Provide long-term wage certainty by codifying the current Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) methodology.
• Streamline application, certification and hiring processes.
• Reduce unnecessary administrative burdens while maintaining important worker protections.

The Ag Wage Reform Coalition noted that the legislation reflects years of collaboration between agricultural stakeholders and policymakers and incorporates many of the practical recommendations developed by growers and employers across the country.

"Introducing the bill is an important step, but our work is far from finished," Butts said. "We encourage Congress to build on this momentum and move this legislation forward. America's farmers, farmworkers, rural communities and consumers all benefit from a workforce system that is practical, predictable and sustainable."

The coalition also thanked the hundreds of organizations that signed letters supporting the legislation, participated in meetings with lawmakers, attended the Capitol Hill announcement, and continue working together to advocate for agricultural workforce reform.

"The strength of this effort has always been agriculture's willingness to speak with one voice," Butts added. "The momentum we've built together demonstrates what's possible when organizations across commodities, states and regions unite behind a common goal. We look forward to continuing this work until meaningful reform becomes law."