--- title: "Agriculture Workforce Coalition Calls for Immigrant Workforce Reforms" id: "15375" type: "post" slug: "agriculture-workforce-coalition-calls-for-immigrant-workforce-reforms" published_at: "2013-01-16T16:36:12+00:00" modified_at: "2026-03-15T19:28:51+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2013/01/16/agriculture-workforce-coalition-calls-for-immigrant-workforce-reforms/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2013/01/16/agriculture-workforce-coalition-calls-for-immigrant-workforce-reforms.md" excerpt: "Hoping to stabilize the agrarian workforce in the U.S., a coalition of agricultural associations is calling for new legislation." taxonomy_category: - "Advocacy" taxonomy_post_tag: - "AssociationsNow" - "Business" - "immigration reform" - "tax policy" - "workforce" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Association CEO / Executive Director" - "Executive Team" - "For-Profit CEO / President / Owner / Partner" - "VP" taxonomy_persona: - "Executive Leadership" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » Agriculture Workforce Coalition Calls for Immigrant Workforce Reforms [As Congress begins discussions on immigration reform (opens in a new tab)](http://abcnews.go.com/ABC_Univision/Politics/pelosi-calls-immigration-reform-congress-opens/story?id=18125376) , a collection of agricultural employers, including several associations, last week announced the [formation of the Agriculture Workforce Coalition (AWC) (opens in a new tab)](http://www.agworkforcecoalition.org/news-media/) to ensure America’s agrarian operations have access to skilled employees. > It’s important for workers, farmers, and especially consumers that we have a legal, stable workforce in place. It’s time to move the discussion forward and find a solution. “We have an unprecedented opportunity now that Democrats and Republicans are having a serious conversation about the critical need for immigration reform—an opportunity that cannot be wasted,” Tom Nassif, president and CEO of the Western Growers Association, one of the coalition’s members, said in a statement. “Agricultural employers have come together as never before in lock-step and agreement about a workable proposal that will serve the needs of farmers, workers, and the American people.” As part of its goal to serve as a unified voice for agriculture groups, the coalition is proposing what it calls an “earned adjustment in status for current experienced farm workers” who do not currently have legal status in the U.S. [On its website (opens in a new tab)](http://www.agworkforcecoalition.org/proposal-for-reform/) , the AWC states that these workers would have an obligation to work in agriculture for a certain number of days per year for several years, and after that time would obtain permanent legal status and the right to work in other industries. A second component to the AWC’s proposed reforms is the Agricultural Worker Visa Program that would provide employers with continued access to a legal workforce as current employees move on to other jobs. The program would distinguish between “at-will” employees, who could move between employers, and contracted employees committed to one employer—each group with its own visa terms, including a requirement that workers return to their home countries at intervals. “This coalition framework proposal will help American agriculture achieve a market-based, flexible agricultural worker program that makes sense for everyone,” American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman said in a statement put out by the coalition. “It’s important for workers, farmers, and especially consumers that we have a legal, stable workforce in place. It’s time to move the discussion forward and find a solution.” Other members of the coalition include the U.S. Apple Association, the American Nursery and Landscape Association, the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association, the United Fresh Produce Association, and the Western United Dairymen. (Brand X Pictures/Thinkstock) [Katie Bascuas](https://associationsnow.com/author/katie-bascuas/) Katie Bascuas is a former associate editor at Associations Now in Washington, DC. [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/katie-bascuas/) Tags: [#Business](https://associationsnow.com/tag/business/) [#immigration reform](https://associationsnow.com/tag/immigration-reform/) [#tax policy](https://associationsnow.com/tag/tax-policy/) [#workforce](https://associationsnow.com/tag/workforce/) **Stay Informed** [Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/) , *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day. ## You Might Like - [VideoThe Impact of Delayed Retirement on Your Association’s Bottom-LineFebruary 26, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/02/26/the-impact-of-delayed-retirement-on-your-associations-bottom-line/) - [PodcastWorkforce Development in Associations: AI, Adaptability, and the Power of DEIOctober 15, 2024](https://associationsnow.com/2024/10/15/workforce-development-in-associations-ai-adaptability-and-the-power-of-dei/) - [VideoThe Career Moves Every Association Leader Needs Right NowSeptember 24, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/09/24/the-career-moves-every-association-leader-needs-right-now/) - [VideoUrban Land Institute- Project Recovery: Rebuilding Los Angeles After the January 2025 WildfiresSeptember 24, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/09/24/urban-land-institute-project-recovery-rebuilding-los-angeles-after-the-january-2025-wildfires/) ## Comments **Comments are for ASAE members.** [Learn more about comments on this site.](https://associationsnow.com/comments/) [Log in](https://associationsnow.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fassociationsnow.com%2F2013%2F01%2F16%2Fagriculture-workforce-coalition-calls-for-immigrant-workforce-reforms%2F%23comments) to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/) !