Episode 145 - Ag Labor Series #4 - Stop Beating Around the Immigration Bush with Rick Naerabout, IDA

Double talk. Political correctness. Evading tactics. Idaho Dairymen’s Association has had enough. Rick Naerabout, IDA’s CEO, plunged into the deep end first thing this episode (and we stay there). He brings to light how many organizations - including his own - have long tried to stay above the fray in the immigration conversation, at least in the way it’s talked about. Realizing that this was getting them (and more importantly, the people they serve) nowhere, IDA said “enough” and started being forthright with their messaging about how immigration affects not only their dairy farmer members, but those members’ employees - the immigrants who provide the labor we all rely so heavily upon. Each of the episodes in our ag labor series have been standouts, and this one accelerates that momentum. If you’re tired of the garbage “conversations” and lack of political will to actually do anything about these issues, this episode is for you. Rick is well-versed not just in current and proposed policy, but also the way our country’s immigration challenges our communities, our farms, our neighbors, our friends. It’s not untrue to say that the people who work alongside us in our agricultural operations are each of those things. Rick calls not only for policy and regulation changes, but changes in our attitudes, hearts, and minds in how we - all Americans - think and approach the challenges of our immigration system. Real change is needed. Policy AND perspective. Tune in!