We’ve been talking to various groups with a stake in the immigration debate and Monday on AU, Utah farmers will have their say.
The Partnership for a New American Economy and the Agriculture Coalition for Immigration Reform have released a report showing that American families are eating more imported fresh produce today than ever before, in substantial part because U.S. fresh produce growers lack enough labor to expand their production and compete with foreign importers. Leland Hogan, President of the Utah Farm Bureau Federation says that “Immigrants play a big part in the farming community. Without their help I'm not sure how many of us would keep our businesses running...America’s and Utah’s farms and ranches cannot grow while our immigration system remains broken.” Many Utah farmers and ranchers are calling for immigration reform. We’ll be talking to Randy Parker, CEO of the Utah Farm Bureau Federation; Mark Gibbons, a dairy farmer in Lewiston; Jake Harward, a produce farmer in Springville; and Rob Smith, a rancher and attorney in Logan.