Wisconsin Dairy Farms Gain Access to H-2A Visa Program
The Trump administration has announced changes to the H-2A visa program, granting Wisconsin dairy farmers greater access to hire seasonal agricultural workers. This marks a significant shift in policy, as the program previously excluded many dairy farm roles. The U.S. Department of Labor and Department of Homeland Security have collaborated on this policy adjustment.
Historically, the dairy industry faced challenges in utilizing the H-2A program due to restrictions on year-round positions like milking. John Hollay, president of the National Council of Agricultural Employers, expressed optimism about the reform, stating it could lead to further expansion of the program.
Currently, Wisconsin's agricultural sector heavily relies on the H-2A program, with annual hiring increasing significantly over the past decade. Data from the U.S. Department of Labor shows that 14% of Wisconsin farms approved for visas this year have dairy herds. Most of these workers are employed as heavy equipment operators, primarily from South Africa and Mexico.
Dairy farmer Amy Woldt from Calumet County has utilized the program to hire workers from South Africa for operating farm machinery. Kurt Schneider, another farmer from the same county, uses South African workers for harvesting due to their English proficiency. Schneider hopes to expand his hiring to include milking operations, favoring workers from Mexico.
The H-2A program, however, is not without its challenges. Processing delays and high costs associated with securing visas are ongoing concerns. Farmers are required to cover travel and lodging expenses, which can increase significantly due to delays.
Legislative efforts to create alternatives to the H-2A program have been introduced, such as a bill by Republican U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden. Despite these efforts, the Trump administration recently suspended rules meant to address worker abuses under the program.
Recent changes to Wisconsin's migrant labor laws maintain certain worker protections that the federal government no longer guarantees, providing some relief to the state’s dairy farm workers.
