This is one of the most exciting times of year for a farmer.

The harvest of 2007 is already underway on some commodities. As I write this, things are looking good for many crops, but while we had a few showers lately rain is very much needed in western New York.

Despite the potential good outlook for most crops this year; I am extremely concerned about the availability of seasonal and full-time agricultural work force.

NYFB’s Board of Directors met recently and decided to organize an immigration fly in to D.C. in September – additional information will be coming out about that shortly.

We have gotten word from the federal government that they will be dramatically stepping up enforcement of mis-match, or no-match letters received from the Social Security Administration when an employees social security number and name do not match federal records. Since Congress has failed to address immigration reform, the Bush Administration is putting the onus on employers to become immigration enforcers.

Farmers are in a Catch-22 here. If farmers follow all of the steps dictated by Department of Homeland Security upon receipt of a letter they can get a “safe harbor” from any charges that they knowingly hired a criminal alien, but the Social Security Administration still says that receipt of a nomatch letter is not a statement about the employee’s immigration status and that employers cannot fire a worker based on receipt of a mis-match letter.

This continues to be a disastrous situation for farmers and believe me, we are working hard on this issue. If you do receive a mismatch letter and aren’t sure of the steps you need to follow, either call us or go on our website at www.nyfb.org – NYFB has summarized the new rule in a four page document that is easier for busy farmers – who don’t have a lot of time to push paper around on desks – to follow.

Congress has so far let us down on immigration.

You may see your representatives out in the districts this fall. Please let them know the importance of this issue and how it will affect your bottom line if it’s not resolved, and make sure you tell your representative that farmers and other business owners don’t have time to take away from their businesses to become immigration enforcement officials – that’s the federal government’s job.

We also need to make sure we do not let up on the Farm Bill. The Senate is expected to debate the Farm Bill this month. Our two Senators, Charles Schumer and Hillary Rodham Clinton need to be reminded how important it is that the Farm Bill addresses the needs of New York farmers. Both have pledged their strong support for ensuring that New York agriculture is well represented in the Farm Bill.

As you recall, the House version passed this summer was hugely favorable to New York farmers, with a strong emphasis on specialty crops and dairy. The voting record for our House members can be found in this edition of Grassroots, on page 4.

Representatives Kuhl and Gillibrand significantly helped shepherd this Farm Bill through the agriculture committee, and we continue to thank them, and all of the representatives who voted in support of the House version of the Farm Bill.

We here at Farm Bureau wish you all a successful and bountiful harvest this fall.