Mt. Ridge Farms Advocates for Apple Growers on Capitol Hill: USApple’s Legislative Event
- Guadalupe Manzo
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
Last week, we joined over 90 apple industry leaders from 14 states for USApple's annual Capitol Hill Day in Washington D.C. The event, organized by USApple, brought together growers, industry experts, and policymakers to discuss critical issues facing the apple industry, particularly around labor, rising costs, and the future of the H-2A visa program.
We were also excited to be featured in USApple Apple Bites newsletter, highlighting our participation in the event and the important discussions surrounding the challenges apple growers are facing.
PA Delegation with Rep. John
A Day of Advocacy and Insight
The day kicked off with a briefing from Senator Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, who discussed the rising costs and labor challenges affecting apple growers like us. Senator Slotkin, stressed the importance of being direct and specific when engaging with lawmakers, making it clear how certain policies impact our business. She particularly addressed the unsustainable input costs for apple growers, quoting,
"The math on a farm has to work if we want farmers to keep farming."
Throughout the day, we met with members of Congress to advocate for reforms to the H2-A program and the preservation of specialty crop programs in the Farm Bill. One of the key areas of focus during Capitol Hill Day was the H-2A visa program, which is vital for ensuring that apple growers have access to the labor they need. The costs associated with this program have been rising dramatically, and its future sustainability is now in question. The importance of the H-2A program cannot be overstated, without it, many of us would struggle to find the workers we need to harvest our crop, leading to serious consequences for both the economy and food security.
Thank You to USApple for Organizing This Event
A big thank you goes to USApple for organizing such an impactful event. Their efforts to bring together industry leaders and policymakers are invaluable in creating change for apple growers across the country.
Moving Forward: Continuing the Fight for Apple Growers
Capitol Hill Day was a powerful reminder that when we come together as an industry, we can make a real impact. But the fight is far from over. As costs continue to rise and the challenges of the H-2A program grow more severe, we will continue to advocate for sustainable solutions that will support the future of apple farming. By staying engaged and uniting with others in the industry, we can ensure that apple growers thrive for generations to come.
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