Farmer lawmaker fights bureaucratic Ag takeover

Rep. Boshart Davis Opposes Bureaucratic Takeover of Oregon Agriculture
By Oregon State Representative Shelly Boshart Davis,

Salem, Ore. – The House Committee on Labor and Workplace Standards is holding a public hearing on House Bill 2548, a bureaucratic takeover of the agricultural industry.

The bill would eliminate at-will employment in Oregon agriculture and hand over control to regulate staffing, wages, benefits, and training to an unelected board appointed by the Governor.

Representative Shelly Boshart Davis (R, Albany) participated in a press conference before the hearing and testified before the committee opposing the bill. She released the following statement:

“Farming isn’t just my job—I’ve been a farmworker my entire growing-up life. Since I was 12, I have only missed working one harvest. My employees are the heart of our operation. They are skilled, hardworking people who take pride in what they do, and I make sure they are treated with the fairness, respect, and care they deserve.”

“I was here when this Legislature passed agriculture over time, and I raised the warning flag then. Farmers showed up in mass to protest because we knew what would happen. We said what would happen. The Legislature didn’t listen, and now it’s happening. Multigenerational farms are shutting down. Workers’ hours are being cut. Farms are going bankrupt. Now, this Legislature is doubling down on policies that make it harder for farms and workers to succeed together with House Bill 2548.”

“This bill is being presented as a way to protect farmworkers, but here’s the truth: Oregon already has some of the strongest labor protections in the country. We follow strict safety standards, provide fair wages, some offer housing, and comply with a long list of regulations designed to keep workers safe.”

“I will oppose this HB 2548, and I will fight for farms and farmworkers alike to support their success and work to help all to thrive in this state.”