Agriculture Workforce Coalition names new leaders

The Agriculture Workforce Coalition (AWC), a coalition of ag groups seeking long-term labor reform, has named two new leaders.

The organization’s steering committee unanimously elected Zippy Duvall, American Farm Bureau Federation president, and Dave Puglia, Western Growers president and CEO, as co-chairs. 

The men succeed Chuck Conner, who retired earlier this year as CEO of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives.

AWC advocates for:

• A workable, market-based guestworker program that reflects the year-round and seasonal needs of U.S. agriculture
• Reforms to wage and regulatory requirements that protect workers while ensuring the continued viability of farm and ranch operations
• A fair, practical process to provide stability and certainty for experienced farmworkers already contributing to U.S. agriculture

AWC members include the National Potato Council, the National Council of Agricultural Employers, the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association, the International Fresh Produce Association and Western Growers.