Mar 27, 2024

60 years of advocating for agricultural employers

The curtain recently closed on the National Council of Agricultural Employers’ (NCAE) 60th Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C.

Sixty years ago, visionary agricultural employers identified correctly that they needed to form an association to advance their joint interests. They came from across the country more than 22 years before the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, which created the present-day guest worker program, to establish an organization to advocate for their common welfare.

The continued necessity of that advocacy was on full display over the three-day annual meeting in mid-February.

Agricultural employers see the many storm clouds churning about their family farms and ranches that threaten the very viability and sustainability of their legacy businesses. They witness a Congress that cannot seem to get much of anything done together for benefit of the American people. They also see a regulatory environment that seems intent on pushing America’s food production to our foreign competitors. They bear witness to spreading anti-farmer union activism that seeks to harm their workers, an activism resurrected from its dormancy by regulatory fiat.

All of this was unpacked at the NCAE’s 60th meeting.

Following a beautiful invocation inspiring grace, light was shown. Members of the Future Farmers of America, the future of agriculture, gave attendees a glimpse into tomorrow. They helped the group focus squarely on what can be when the storm clouds part. The young people in the blue jackets gave the audience hope.
Thoughtfully, a Congressional forecast for the coming year was unfolded for agricultural employers. Although many challenges were highlighted, so were opportunities, provided the Congress can get its act together.

A moderated panel of growers discussed their perceptions regarding agricultural labor. They identified their needs, wants and desires, and set about identifying how to chart a course to get them there from here. They also reiterated how important it is for employers to stick together, no matter what part of the country they hail from, recognizing that politicians and activists are both inclined to take advantage of any hint of a lack of unity.

Attorneys examined ongoing litigation in federal court on tough issues for employers. NCAE’s lawsuit against unfair mandated wage rates disconnected from the market for ag labor was discussed. The potential of a U.S. Supreme Court decision this term that could wipe away the whipsaw effect employers witness in Executive Branch agencies upon changes in administrations was highlighted as well.

We recognized NCAE members for their many efforts to do good in their communities, as well as efforts to provide excellent housing for farmworkers, through annual NCAE awards. Doing Good Award winners are Joe Rasch Orchards, Sparta, Michigan, and West Coast Tomato Growers, Oceanside, California. Washington Growers League, a Yakima, Washington-based non-profit association that provides services and support to ag employers, received the Best Farmworker Housing Award.

Disparate state legislative activism in Florida and Washington State was a hot topic, as was a presentation examining the underlying economics of agricultural labor. Safety and migrant educational opportunities for workers and their families brought those important topics to the floor of the meeting. Members heard from Xochitl Torres Small, USDA deputy secretary, who encouraged them to keep up their good efforts on compliance with the regulatory morass they face.

The chair of the House Ag Committee addressed the group on continued efforts to improve outcomes for farm and ranch families. The Republican and Democrat co-chairs of the House Ag Labor Working Group gave members a glimpse at what bipartisanship can do.

NCAE members attended dozens of meetings on Capitol Hill with their elected representatives, sharing their experiences from their home state, inspiring leaders to recall where food comes from. Visionary leaders stepped forward 60 years ago. They would be pleased their legacy thrives today.

America is grateful for that vision. Let’s pass it on.

Michael Marsh has led the National Council of Agricultural Employers since 2017. A Wyoming native and certified public accountant, Marsh worked for a CPA firm with farm and ranch clients investigating fraud. He was director of finance for the Almond Board of California for 7 years and for 15 years was CEO of the largest U.S. dairy producer trade association.