Farmers Union and Farm Bureau were both represented in a North Dakota Senate Workforce Development Committee hearing Thursday. North Dakota Farmers Union Government Relations Director Matt Perdue said agriculture makes up one-third of the sole proprietor employment in the state. “When we talk about business and workforce incentives and childcare solutions, we need to remember that a huge share of agriculture doesn’t work for a major employer, so we need to make sure they’re not left behind.” Agriculture faces labor issues, but NDFB Public Policy Director Pete Hanebutt described it as a national problem. “The ag sector is hit pretty hard by the tight labor market; H2A reform is really needed.”
