There’s no waiting when cantaloupes are ready to harvest.

These perishable fruits can go from unripe to unsellable in just a few days’ time.

But this spring, our harvesters from Mexico did not receive their temporary work visas to begin their contracts in time.

Nearly 15,000 cartons of cantaloupe never made it to grocery stores. They rotted on the vine before help arrived.

Sadly, our story is not unique.

Many of our neighbors also did not get the labor they needed this year. 

And that’s a major blow not only for Yuma, where my family farms, but also to our state and our nation’s ability to feed itself.

Farms rely on ag worker program

Nearly all the leafy greens, broccoli and cauliflower in American stores during the winter are grown in Yuma, as are about a quarter of the melons in May, June and November.

Our farms protect national food security — but only if we can find the labor to do this work. 

Technology and automation are no silver bullets. Lettuce, broccoli and melons are delicate. Machine harvesters can easily crush or bruise them.

And consumers hold exacting standards for fruits and vegetables.

That’s why each piece is still hand-selected by someone who knows how to wield a harvesting knife with gentle hands. 

Other workers hand-package produce in the field so it can be quickly transported to stores.

It’s tough work. It often requires long hours.

And few domestic workers are willing to do it. 

According to federal Department of Labor data, domestic workers filled 182 of the nearly 415,000 temporary agriculture positions advertised across the nation last fiscal year.

That’s 0.04% of available jobs.

H-2A contains many safeguards

The H-2A temporary agricultural worker program was created in 1986 to alleviate agriculture worker shortages. 

It includes multiple safeguards to ensure that domestic workers are chosen first for open positions and that hiring foreign workers won’t negatively affect U.S. wages.

Extensive reviews are completed before workers are issued temporary work visas and granted admission to the country.

Farmers pay for these reviews, often flying prospective employees hundreds of miles to available embassies or consulates for interviews. 

Once workers arrive, farmers ensure they are well cared for by providing them with housing, transportation and meals.

That includes transporting workers once a week to the supermarket if their housing includes a kitchen, and if it does not, providing them with three meals a day that meet federal nutrition guidelines.

The program has serious shortcomings

Despite these considerable costs, an American Farm Bureau Federation analysis found that H-2A is on track for record use this year.

For many farmers like me, this is the only way to legally fill some jobs.

But H-2A has plenty of shortcomings.

The program is administered by five federal agencies that often issue contradicting guidance, making it difficult and time-consuming to use.

H-2A is also notoriously inflexible, requiring farmers to determine months in advance when they’ll need help. 

Visas can be delayed with little explanation, sometimes missing short windows to complete time-sensitive work.

Not to mention that the program only allows temporary work, when local irrigators and equipment operators also are in short supply. 

Without domestic labor to fill these year-round positions, critical work to grow and harvest food for Americans simply goes undone.

And our country steadily loses its ability to feed its people. 

Congress must pass reforms now

Many have tried and failed to reform H-2A in the four decades since it was created.

This one is different.

U.S. Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson, R-Penn., has spent more than two years gathering ideas to expand and modernize this critical program.  

Unlike previous attempts, his Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act has garnered wide support from agricultural groups.

It allows farmers to recover more of their costs for housing and transportation.

It opens H-2A to dairy, forestry and other agricultural industries experiencing extreme labor shortages. 

And it allows employers to hire workers for longer portions of the year.

In a perfect world, farmers like me would not need H-2A.

But the strong market forces driving domestic labor shortages leave us little choice.

This is a national issue, but reasonable labor reform will have lasting and positive impact for Arizona. 

Congress has a rare opportunity to ensure farmers have the labor we need, when we need it. They must act quickly, so we can continue to deliver high-quality food to your plate.

John Boelts is president of Arizona Farm Bureau. He grows lettuce, melons and other crops on a 3,000-acre farm in Yuma. Reach him at johnboelts@azfb.org.

The post A rare opportunity to ensure farmers have the labor we need first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times.

Those in agriculture possess tons of great data and insights to share about the revolution of safety in the crop protection world, otherwise known as pesticides. Unfortunately, information must be clarified. Notably, the article, The human cost of the Yuma’s vegetable empire, affords us the opportunity to set the record straight. 

Arizona farmers take what they do each day very seriously — how their farming impacts their families, their workers, their neighbors, their community and consumers. They are not going to take actions that would cause harm to people or the environment. They undergo hours of training and use the best technology available to ensure what they do is safe. Let us explain.

The article begins with, “under the cover of darkness, pilots drop thousands of pounds of pesticides over fields…” alluding to the idea the farmers have something to hide. Aerial applications are conducted at night to reduce drift, when night air is typically calmer, and to protect field workers and farmers who are not in the fields in the evening. Evening applications are also for our pollinators since bees return to their hives at night. These evening aerial applications are simply for safety. 

Significantly, record keeping is required for all crop protection applications. In addition, highly trained Pest Control Advisors (PCAs) complete their pest management recommendations on Form 1080. These Arizona Department of Agriculture forms can be accessed, examined and evaluated. 

Those thousands of pounds of pesticides referenced in the article represent crop protection products applied at “ounces per acre.” These crop protection products are very selective against damaging pests, safe to non-target organisms, and are not persistent in the environment. 

Next, we read, “A few hours later, legions of farmworkers head to these same fields…” What’s important to know is the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets reentry restrictions on all registered pesticides. These mandatory restrictions prevent workers from entering fields following an application until it is deemed safe to do so. Based on the specific crop protection used, reentry restrictions vary and may be as little as 4 hours to as much as 72 hours later. Hence, when pesticides are applied under the cover of darkness and the reentry clock starts ticking when farm workers are out of the field, evening applications become an added benefit. 

Yuma has been growing high-value specialty crops for decades. The leafy greens grown in Yuma and other areas of Arizona are not a new shift in growing crops.

A large, long-term and ongoing longitudinal study called the Ag Health Study does not support the article’s claim that, “In rural agricultural areas where people are working on farms, there are higher incidences of diabetes, obesity, pulmonary issues, endocrine disruption, cancer. …”

Another statement by the article claims, “The science is nearly 60 years old; however, the impact of these pesticides remains alarmingly current, with comprehensive studies conducted over the past 20 years.” The studies alluded to are epidemiological studies that do not show a cause and effect. In truth, and more importantly, the EPA requires and reviews data that show a “dose and response, cause and effect.” EPA has also reviewed these epidemiology data and where they meet the standards set in the law to be reliable and available data, they are used by EPA as part of the decision-making process on whether to register a pesticide, and how to label it or to re-register it. Every pesticide registered by EPA must be re-evaluated at least every 15 years to consider all new information. In many cases, registered pesticides are reviewed more frequently. 

Overall, it takes 12 years to bring a new crop protection product to market with an average of $286 million spent on research by the company developing it. The EPA requires data and assesses any potential endocrine effects, making the dose and response, cause and effect proofs of safety to be met. And even then, the product can be terminated by regulatory authorities. Today, pesticides are often termed “soft pesticides” as they only target the “bad” pests, leaving beneficial bugs, such as ladybugs and butterflies, to do their battle against “bad pests.” 

Ultimately, the EPA considers all data, including epidemiology data, conducted by independent scientists and universities. EPA requires registrants – the organizations developing a new crop protection product – to conduct and submit their research results. The EPA independently verifies and validates that data to be sure that when the pesticide is registered for use, it meets the safety standards set in U.S. law. 

Finally, the article states, “They (EPA) do not currently study any of the active ingredients that go into pesticide products sufficiently.” This is not true. EPA has a framework for doing cumulative risk assessments on pesticides and has conducted that review for organophosphates, carbamates and other classes of pesticides. The EPA also looks at synergistic effects. 

Ultimately, no product is 100% risk free, including organic pest control products, but the products used today are orders of magnitude safer for humans and the environment than products of the past. To apply these much safer and improved products, all growers, pest control advisers and applicators are state licensed, and are required to obtain annual training in continuing education units to maintain their license. Plus, all workers entering the produce fields receive annual pesticide training in an understandable manner (language and literacy) before ever being allowed into the fields. 

While the agriculture community harbors profound concerns about the “Human Cost” article’s inadvertent misrepresentation of our dedicated, multifaceted efforts in Food Safety and Human Health, efforts born of a deep-rooted commitment to nurturing both land and lives, we see this as a hopeful opportunity to share our story with distinction and openness, bridging divides through shared appreciation and mutual respect for America’s food system, the safest in the world.

Submitted by Arizona Farm Bureau President John Boelts, Western Growers President and CEO Dave Puglia, Arizona Crop Protection President Ken Narramore, and Yuma Fresh Vegetable Association President Mike Pasquinelli.  

The post Under the cover of darkness for safety first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times.

In appointments that political observers say is unusual, Senate President Warren Petersen gave a committee chair to a freshman while not appointing two seasoned lawmakers to lead committees. 

Senators-elect Tim Dunn, R-Yuma, and Vince Leach, R-Tucson,  will only have vice chair positions on committees. 

Leach, who is set to return to the Senate after he lost to Tucson Sen. Justine Wadsack in the 2022 primary election, began serving in the House in 2015 and in the Senate in 2019, but he did not chair any committees in his first two terms as a senator. 

Still, he said he’s pleased with his appointments. 

“Looking forward to a very productive term,” he said in a text message. 

Dunn has served in the House since 2018 and is moving to the Senate. He was the chairman of the House Government Committee in the previous two legislative sessions. 

Lobbyist Barry Aarons said he was surprised to see Dunn not be assigned a committee chairmanship. He thought the Committee on Natural Resources might be a good spot for Dunn because of his work on water policy throughout his tenure in the House.

Petersen instead appointed Sen. T.J. Shope, R-Coolidge, as chair of the Natural Resources Committee and Dunn as its vice chair, which Aarons spoke highly of. 

“Shope knows those issues and he’s a rural legislator,” Aarons said. “Tim Dunn is very much like T.J. Shope. They’re both fair, reasonable guys.”

Shope was previously the chairman of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, but he said he looks forward to leading the Natural Resources Committee after serving on House and Senate versions of it for 10 of the last 12 years he’s been at the Legislature. 

Shope said a priority he will address in the upcoming legislative session is an “Ag-to-Urban Conservation Program,” which would allow developers to build within an active management area using groundwater from agricultural land.

During the recent legislative session, Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoed SB1172 and wrote in her veto letter that Shope’s “Ag-to-Urban” proposal was too broad and she didn’t think the program should be universally adopted to all the state’s active management areas. 

“The Ag-to-Urban Conservation Program would have allowed (agriculture and homebuilding) to work together to increase housing supply while conserving water, but Gov. Hobbs elected to stand in the way,” Shope said in a statement after being named chair of the Natural Resources Committee. 

Petersen also appointed Carnie Werner as chair of the Committee on Health and Human Services. Werner will be serving her first term in the Legislature, and Aarons said it is unusual to see a freshman lawmaker get a committee chairmanship, but he thought she would do well in the role. 

“It’s unusual, but I know this president and his campaign really put a lot of effort into Werner’s district,” Aarons said.

Petersen also combined the Senate Judiciary and Elections committees, while splitting up public safety from the Military and Border committee. 

The full Senate committee list is as follows:

• Committee on Appropriations, chaired by Sen. John Kavanagh, R-Fountain Hills.
• Committee on Education, chaired by Sen. David Farnsworth, R- Mesa.
• Committee on Finance, chaired by Sen. J.D. Mesnard, R-Chandler.
• Committee on Health & Human Services, chaired by Werner.
• Committee on Military & Border, chaired by Sen. David Gowan, R-Sierra Vista.
• Committee on Natural Resources, chaired by Shope.
• Committee on Federalism, chaired by Mark Finchem, R-Prescott
• Committee on Judiciary & Elections, chaired by Sen. Wendy Rogers, R-Flagstaff.
• Committee on Government, chaired by Sen. Jake Hoffman, R-Queen Creek.
• Committee on Public Safety, chaired by Rep. Kevin Payne, R-Peoria (Payne is moving to the Senate from the House). 
• Committee on Regulatory Affairs, chaired by Sen.  Shawnna Bolick, R-Phoenix.

Democratic consultant Gaelle Esposito said she was disappointed to see the return of the federalism committee and having Rogers now be the chair of both elections and judiciary bills. She said the committee has typically been about “non-elections-related and conspiracy theories and pointless postcards to the U.S. government.”

“I look forward to another couple of legislative sessions where every week, I have to hear the most dehumanizing s*** about people like me,” Esposito, a trans woman, said. 

There will be no Senate Commerce Committee nor a Senate Transportation Committee, which have long been standing committees. 

A Senate news release noted transportation-related measures will likely be heard in the Appropriations or Public Safety Committees, while commerce-related bills will likely go through the Regulatory Affairs Committee. 

House Speaker-elect Steve Montenegro also announced his committee chairmanships on Nov. 18. 

Montenegro has also added some committees from last session’s standing House committees. The House will now have Representative-elect Tony Rivero chairing the International Trade Committee and Rep. Beverly Pingerelli, R-Peoria, will chair the Science and Technology Committee. 

Rep. Neal Carter, R-San Tan Valley, will be the new House Speaker Pro Tempore, previously filled by Rep. Travis Grantham, R-Gilbert, who is termed out of the House.

“Neal is a principled conservative leader who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and a deep respect for the legislative process,” Montenegro said in a news release. “His thoughtful approach and dedication to public service make him a valuable partner in guiding the House and a great addition to an already stellar team.”

The House’s full standing committee list is as follows:

• Appropriations, chaired by Rep. David Livingston, R-Peoria.
• Commerce, chaired by Jeff Weninger, R-Chandler.
• Education, chaired by Rep. Matt Gress, R-Phoenix.
• Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections, chaired by Rep. John Gillette, R-Kingman.
• Government, chaired by Walt Blackman, R-Snowflake.
• Health & Human Services, chaired by Rep. Selina Bliss, R-Prescott.
• International Trade, chaired by Rep. Tony Rivero, R-Poeria..
• Judiciary, chaired by Rep. Quang Nguyen, R-Prescott Valley.
• Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs, chaired by Rep. Lupe Diaz, R-Benson.
• Natural Resources, Energy & Water, chaired by Rep. Gail Griffin, R-Hereford.
• Public Safety & Law Enforcement, chaired by Rep. David Marshall, R-Snowflake.
• Rules, chaired by Rep. Laurin Hendrix, R-Gilbert.
• Transportation & Infrastructure, chaired by Rep. Leo Biasiucci, R-Lake Havasu City.
• Science and Technology, chaired by Rep. Beverly Pingerelli, R-Peoria.
• Ways & Means, chaired by Justin Olson, R-Mesa. 

Republican consultant Barrett Marson noted several Freedom Caucus members of the House were not appointed as committee chairs.

“Much of the Freedom Caucus is now in the Find Out phase of the FAFO after mostly being shut out of committee chairmanships. I guess repeatedly chastising @SteveMontenegro AFTER he got the caucus nod wasn’t an effective strategy,” Marson wrote in a Nov. 18 X post. 

The post Legislative committee leaders set, House Freedom Caucus members not chosen first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times.

A Republican state Representative is leading both her Democratic challengers in Legislative District 23 after preliminary voting results Tuesday night. 

Rep. Michelle Pena, R-Yuma, leads all candidates in the race at approximately 8:50 p.m. with 34.38% of votes going toward her. 

Incumbent Rep. Mariana Sandoval, D-Goodyear, is second in the race and would take the second House seat in the district if results stand. Sandoval has 33.70%  of votes while her running mate, Matias Rosales, has 31.92% of votes.

Legislative District 23 is considered by the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission to be outside of the competitive range with a near 17% swing for Democrat candidates. But Republicans picked up a House seat in 2022 with Pena’s win over Democrat Jesus Lugo Jr.

Pena ran as a single-shot candidate in the district in 2022 and is doing so again this election. She beat Lugo Jr. by nearly 4% of votes cast in the race.

Republican representation at the Legislature has held a presence in the district for several years. Before Pena was elected, former Republican state Rep. Joel John also served in parts of LD23 before the state was redistricted.

That seat was vital in Republican efforts to hold onto their 31-29 majority in the House. Democrats view Pena’s seat as a pick-up opportunity in their attempt for control of the chamber.

Sandoval and Pena are both first-term representatives seeking a second term in office. 

Rosales and Sandoval are running on the same slate in their southwest district that stretches from Goodyear to Yuma, and out east, south of Tucson. 

Rosales has served on the San Luis City Council for 12 years. A win for him would be his first term at the state legislature.

The post Pena, Sandoval leading in LD23 first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times.

The post Mayors press Hobbs to veto housing bill first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times.

The post Border encounters dip slightly, but Tucson sector again saw most traffic first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times.

The post We cannot escape our past; we can only improve our future first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times.

The post Feds ready to dismiss lawsuit against Arizona over border containers first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times.

The post Finchem, Kern, Gosar must pay former minority leader’s legal fees first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times.

The post First generation of solar panels will wear out, recycling industry taking shape first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times.