NORTHWEST HORTICULTURAL COUNCIL

Labor: Advocate for regulatory reform of the H-2A program to make it less costly, and easier and more efficient to use. Advocate for regulatory reform of the H-2A prevailing wage rate, including its methodology and enforcement discretion to stop issuing new H-2A prevailing wage determinations until rulemaking is completed. Support development of legislation in Congress that reforms the H-2A program to make it more affordable and accessible to growers. Once this bill was introduced (H.R. 9535, the Securing Agricultures Workforce Act of 2026), advocated with the House Judiciary Committee and House Leadership to move the bill forward and for members of the House to cosponsor it. Worked with House staff on appropriations provision to prohibit new H-2A prevailing wage determinations from being issued.

Food Safety: Pursue policy solutions for heavy metals in produce. Pursue policy revisions regarding imported produce. Pursue policy solutions at FDA to facilitate grower-led best practices development.

Agriculture: Support an economic assistance package for specialty crop growers from USDA and Congress. Advocate for changes to the way in which payments are administered under the USDA Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers program, including through the appropriations process. Advocate against millet from being added to the definition of specialty crops through the House Farm Bill and through the appropriations process. Advocate for an appropriations provision that reverses the new 25 percent cost share requirement imposed by USDA on recipients of grants from the Specialty Crop Block Grant program. Advocate with the USDA Agricultural Research Service to proceed with the hiring process to fill scientists and support staff at the research facilities located in Wapato, Washington; Wenatchee, Washington; Prosser, Washington; and Hood River, Oregon.

Budget/Appropriations: Support an economic assistance package for specialty crop growers from USDA and Congress. Advocate for changes to the way in which payments are administered under the USDA Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers program through the appropriations process. Advocate against millet from being added to the definition of specialty crops through the House Farm Bill and through the appropriations process. Advocate for an appropriations provision that reverses the new 25 percent cost share requirement imposed by USDA on recipients of grants from the Specialty Crop Block Grant program. Worked with House staff on appropriations provision to prohibit new H-2A prevailing wage determinations from being issued.