SAWA and Farm Bill: Important messages to lawmakers during August Recess
Source: Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative
Lawmakers left Washington, D.C. last week with two critical issues for dairy farmers left undone: the farm bill and the Securing Agriculture's Workforce Act (SAWA). The farm was expected to be passed in the Senate Agriculture Committee during the final days in session, however it failed to garner enough votes to come out of committee before the Senate broke for summer recess.
In the house, Ag Chairman Thompson's Securing Agriculture's Workforce Act (SAWA) has been the target of a misinformation campaign and remains without action.
With lawmakers back in their districts for August recess, it is a good time to share our positions on these two key pieces of legislation with our representatives and why they are important to your farms. Key points on the two issues:
Farm Bill:
Farmers and ranchers have been operating under a farm bill framework that hasn't been updated since 2018. Another missed deadline means producers continue to go without the certainty a new bill would provide, even as the sector faces significant economic strain.
Two key dairy provisions in the farm bill include:
Strong risk management tools, preventing another year of uncertainty by making permanent the Dairy Forward Pricing Program and reauthorizing the Dairy Indemnity Payment Program.
Strengthening the competitiveness of U.S. dairy by providing for dairy research, conservation practices and trade promotion.
Securing Agriculture's Workforce Act
SAWA lets farmers — not workers — ask the Department of Homeland Security for a waiver of inadmissibility, so employees already working in agriculture can transfer into the H-2A program.
H-2A is a temporary visa program. It offers no path to a green card, no path to citizenship.
The waiver carries a hard line: it does not cover anyone who has committed a crime beyond being here unlawfully, or who has engaged in moral turpitude.
The whole approach tracks with what President Trump himself laid out in April 2025.
We encourage you to take time this month to meet with your legislators to stress the urgency of these two important issues. Please reach out to Karen Gefvert Kgefvert@voiceofmilk.com if you need additional support or questions.
The Voice of Milk welcomes three new staff members
Source: Voice of Milk
The Voice of Milk, a collaboration between the Dairy Business Association, Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative and Minnesota Milk Producers Association, announced the addition of three new staff members to its team, including a member services staff member, a communications team member and a project coordinator.
Nominations for DBA’s 2026 Advocate of the Year and Community Outreach Awards close this week
Source: Dairy Business Association
The Dairy Business Association is accepting nominations for the 2026 Advocate of the Year and Community Outreach Awards. All nominations must be received by the end of this week, Friday, Aug. 15. Winners will be announced at the DBA Annual Meeting in December. A formal presentation of the award will take place at the 2027 Dairy Strong conference on Jan. 14.
Nominations closing soon – Voice of Milk Industry Award
Source: Voice of Milk
The Voice of Milk Industry Award is a new recognition that honors individuals and organizations who have gone above and beyond to positively impact the dairy community and support the success of dairy farmers. If you know a deserving Voice of Milk partner, supporter or organization making a meaningful contribution to the industry, submit a nomination today. All nominations must be received by the end of this week, Friday, Aug. 15.
Join dairy farmers, industry professionals and agricultural leaders at the 2027 Dairy Strong conference set to take place at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. It will kick off at the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame on Jan. 13, followed by a full day of programming on Jan. 14. Registration is now open. Secure your spot today!
Farm bill proposal fails in US Senate ag committee amid food assistance funding fight
Source: Farm Forum
Farm bill progress stalled Thursday as the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee failed to move its version of the legislation forward due to a conflict over when states will shoulder a share of federal nutrition assistance costs.
More than an internship: How Riverview cultivates the next generation of dairy leaders
Source: Dairy Herd Management
At Riverview’s five-state dairy operation, ‘Be Kind’ isn’t just painted on the walls — it’s a safety protocol, a business strategy and the reason 26 interns came for the cows but stayed for the people.
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