The U.S. Senate last month failed to move forward on an immigration bill, leaving the agricultural industry in jeopardy.

“New York’s farmers are hugely disappointed that the senate has once again failed to act on the ongoing immigration crisis,” said John Lincoln, president of New York Farm Bureau.

Sens. Charles Schumer and Hillary Rodham Clinton, both well versed on the importance of the need for immigration reform as it relates to agriculture, voted in favor of moving forward.

“We thank Sen. Schumer and Sen. Clinton for stepping up for the interests of New York farm families,” Lincoln said.

Meanwhile, AFBF held a conference call on the issue on July 18 with Farm Bureau representatives across the country to discuss next steps.

Generally, most felt that the dust needs to settle in Congress before any Congressional action will occur, according to Bob Hokanson of the Public Policy Division.

“However, the state representatives strongly felt that we need to keep pressure on Congress to do something this year,” he said. “All of the state Farm Bureaus recognize that without immigration reform – either a stand alone piece for agriculture or a comprehensive measure – our farmers’ harvests are in jeopardy. Hokanson continued, “We need our members to contact NYFB to report any planting, harvesting, or dairy milking problems on the farm relating to labor shortages or enforcement activities.”

New York Farm Bureau will use the information, kept completely confidential as to farm name and location, when communicating with congressional representatives about the dire need for immigration reform.

Some in Congress, including Sen. Schumer and Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., have indicated that immigrant farm labor may be dealt with in a standalone measure, Hokanson said.