b'People, Product Newspotatoesperfectlymasteringthe Newhouse(R-WA)andurgesits issues, but the reintroduction of thisbasics,discoveringnewtechniques rapidpassageintheHouseof bill sends a strong message that agri-and more. Representatives.culturallaborreformcanandshouldoccurinthisCongress,Benefits beyond the menu. Beyond The passage of the Farm Workforce said NPC CEO Kam Quarles.learning more about the best ways ModernizationActlastCongressto serve potatoes, these classes give wasthefirsttimetheHouseof Last week, more than 160 U.S. pota-operatorsandfoodserviceprofes- Representativeshadsuccessfully togrowersandindustrypartnerssionals the chance to earn ACF and actedtoaddressagriculturallabor participatedinNPCsvirtual2021RCA accreditation hours. Increasing reform in more than 30 years, said PotatoD.C.Fly-In,duringwhichpotato knowledge and earning CEU RJ Andrus, NPCs Vice President of they met with members of Congresscreditsatthesametimewhats LegislativeAffairs.NPCandour to advocate for legislation to solvenot to love? partners throughout the agricultural the agricultural labor crisis.industryarefocusedongettingaPotatoUniversitygivesoperators comprehensivelaborsolution Our growers need reliable access tothe boost they need to succeed with passed by both chambers and signed labor with wages and work require-potatoes. From recipe inspiration to bythePresidenttoensureboth ments that are predictable and com-preparation tips, having a grasp on growers and workers alike are pro- petitive,saidMikeWenkel,NPCthe best ways to use an ingredient vided long-term certainty and secu- COO.OncetheHousepassesthegives operators the edge they need rity. FMWA, the Senate should move for-thisyearatimewhencreativity ward and improve upon the bill towillpayoff.Whatsmore,the The bill, which passed the House of providethesolutionagricultureknowledgegainedwillhelpopera- Representativesinthe116th needs.tors make the most of their facilities, Congress with the support of agri-streamliningprepandexpanding culturalgroupsandcompanies, TheU.S.agricultureindustryismenu variety with little effort. would address the agriculture work- experiencingacriticalshortageofforce crisis by establishing effective labortoplantandharvestcrops.To learn more about these compli- border security, a path to legal work Estimatesarethatupwardsof70mentarypotatocourses,visit status for undocumented agricultur- percentoftheoverallagriculturePotatoUniversity.com. alworkers,andsustainableguest labor in the United States is provid-worker programs to fulfill the ongo- edbyanimproperlydocumentedNational Potato Council ingneedsofAmericasagriculture immigrantworkforce.ThishighlyApplauds Reintroduction Of Farm industry. vulnerable workforce creates uncer-Workforce Modernization Act tainty for the workers and the farmsWe appreciate the commitment of and ranches that employ them.The National Potato Council (NPC) RepresentativesLofgrenandwelcomedyesterdaysreintroduc- Newhouse to reintroduce this bipar- Many potato growers rely on labortionofthebipartisanFarm tisan bill after it stalled last session contracted through the agriculturalWorkforceModernizationActby intheSenate.Itwouldhavebeen guest worker program (H-2A), whichReps. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) and Dan easy to move on and address other supplies only 10 percent of the nec-28 POTATO GROWER APRIL 2021'