Mid July Ag Report: H2A Reform Proposal and USMCA Annual Review

This week, Nicole highlights federal agriculture updates while the state legislature is on break. The Great American State Fair runs through July 10 on the National Mall, with the Arizona Department of Agriculture showcasing Arizona agriculture. In Congress, House Ag Committee Chair Rep. G.T. Thompson has proposed the Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act of 2026, noting immigration reform has not occurred since 1986 and that H-2A use has increased 17% in 2026. The proposal focuses on controlling costs, improving access, and modernizing and streamlining H-2A, addressing inefficiencies from Department of Labor, Homeland Security, and state involvement that cause paperwork delays and lost farm time. It would designate H-2A workers as essential, allow interview waivers for vetted returning workers, and remove the seasonal requirement by setting a temporary designation just under one year to serve year-round needs like dairies and horticulture. On trade, USMCA renewal was not reached by July 1, triggering an annual review process for the next ten years as the U.S. and Mexico negotiate bilaterally and Canada remains engaged.00:00 Welcome and DC Agenda00:12 State Fair Spotlight00:30 Workforce Act Overview00:58 H-2A Reform Details01:49 Trade and USMCA Update02:16 Wrap Up and Next Week