Breakthrough For Farmers: Starting Today, Can Apply For Guest Worker Program Electronically

Dec 10, 2012 Issues: Agriculture, Local Issues

Hochul Pressed For Innovation to Save Time and Expense for Agriculture Community

WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y. – Representative Kathy Hochul (NY-26) said she was astounded to learn that one of the farmers in her Congressional District had mailed 18 pounds of paperwork to the Department of Labor (DOL) to apply for the same guest workers that had worked on her farm year after year.  As a result, Hochul worked with the DOL to allow electronic filing and more timely responses to applicants.

 “No longer will farmers who wish to take advantage of this program be forced to endure endless hours of paperwork, at a time when they are focused on the upcoming growing season. Starting today, online applications for guest worker visas are now available for farmers in Western New York and across the country. Electronic filing for guest worker visas is a common sense reform that will streamline the process for farmers, saving time and money while ensuring farmers have the labor to support their production and grow their businesses,” Rep. Hochul said.

“The launch of the online H-2A application process is much anticipated for our farmers who will benefit from quick, up-to-date information as they fill their employment needs. Proper access to a steady workforce year round, especially during the harvest season for many of our growers, can mean the difference between a good or bad year. We sincerely thank Rep. Hochul for her efforts to update the H-2A hiring process for the benefit of New York farmers,” said New York Farm Bureau President Dean Norton.

“This is a critical step to stream line the H2A program and helps ensure farmers have access to seasonal labor. Rep. Hochul opened up the door and let us know that we can affect change and continue to improve upon this program,” said Maureen Torrey of Torrey Farms.

Last summer, Hochul met with Deputy Labor Secretary Seth Harris and farmers from throughout Western New York to discuss concerns with the H-2A program, including the need to make the application system available online.  Hochul also encouraged Labor Secretary Hilda Solis to modernize the H-2A visa program and met with Deputy Assistant Secretary Gerri Fiala to stress the importance of this reform.

Additionally, Rep. Hochul has actively worked to expand the H-2A program to include dairy farmers, who are currently prohibited from participating due to the industry’s year-round demands.  Rep. Hochul has introduced bipartisan legislation to allow dairy farmers to participate in the H-2A program, to ensure Western New York dairy farms have adequate labor to increase production and meet the needs of the booming Greek Yogurt industry.

For answers to frequently asked questions about the implementation of the online visa application program, farmers can visit this site.

The agricultural concerns of the 26th District have been a top priority throughout Rep. Hochul’s term in Congress. She hosted numerous roundtable discussions with farmers, producers, vintners, and elected officials throughout the district to discuss production of quality goods locally, energy costs, child labor, water runoff, wine tourism, the Farm Bill, food security and other issues affecting the farms of New York’s 26th District.

Nearly all of New York's 35,000 farms are family owned – making agriculture one of New York's top small business industries – and making the need for a user-friendly, online H-2A application system even more critical.