The Agriculture Workforce Coalition (AWC) steering committee has elected American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall and Western Growers President and CEO Dave Puglia as its new co-chairs. They took over leadership following the retirement of former National Council of Farmer Cooperatives CEO Chuck Conner earlier this year.
Duvall said, "I'm humbled to be asked to serve as co-chair for the Ag Workforce Coalition." He noted Conner's earlier role in forming the coalition and stated that the AWC will continue pressing for "practical, bipartisan solutions to address the workforce crisis facing our family farms."
© AWC
Puglia said, "I'm honored to have been selected by peers to serve as Co-Chair of the Agriculture Workforce Coalition alongside Zippy Duvall." He highlighted ongoing pressure on the agricultural sector, especially the labor challenges that he said have contributed to shifts in food production to other countries. He added that while regulatory changes have brought some improvements, the coalition aims to convince Congress to pass legislation to support long-term labor stability. "I know Zippy is fully committed to this objective as well," he said.
According to the coalition, its policy priorities remain unchanged. These include development of a market-based guestworker program suited to both seasonal and year-round agricultural needs, adjustments to wage and regulatory requirements to maintain worker protections while supporting farm operations, and a process that would provide stability for experienced farmworkers already working in U.S. agriculture.
For more information:
Western Growers
Mike Tomko
Email: [email protected]
Ann Donahue
Email: [email protected]
Justin Darisse
Email:[email protected]
