From left: American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall; House Agriculture Committee Chairman GT Thompson; Western Growers President and CEO Dave Puglia
Western Growers Applauds Introduction of the Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act Western Growers President and CEO Dave Puglia issued the following statement in support of House Agriculture Committee Chairman GT Thompson’s introduction of the Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act:
Between 2018 and 2025, the national average Adverse Effect Wage Rate increased more than $5.50, from $12.20 to $17.74. That 45 percent surge far outpaced a historically high inflation rate of 28 percent during the same period. This bill offers a meaningful solution to volatile wage increases that put farmers out of business. “SAWA would take important steps to streamline the program, reduce administrative burdens and provide greater certainty around wage rules. This legislation is a commonsense step toward protecting domestic food production, supporting family farms and ensuring American families continue to have access to a safe, healthy and affordable food supply. “Western Growers appreciates Chairman Thompson’s leadership and urges Congress to move this legislation forward.” -Ann Donahue
“Western Growers strongly supports Chairman Thompson’s Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act (SAWA) and commends his leadership in advancing long-overdue reforms to stabilize America’s agricultural workforce. “Fresh produce growers in California, Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico have relied on the H-2A program out of necessity, but the program has not kept pace with the realities of modern agriculture. It remains too difficult and expensive for many farmers who depend on it for access to a legal and reliable workforce. “More predictable wages are essential to keeping American agriculture strong and fresh produce affordable for consumers.
47 Western Grower & Shipper | www.wga.com July – September 2026
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