Source: POLITICO'S MORNING AGRICULTURE, 8/14/19

Buttigieg on Tuesday unveiled his plan to boost the rural economy with billions of dollars in investments, high-speed internet access and protections for both farmers and agricultural laborers, writes POLITICO's Arren Kimbel-Sannit. Like many of his fellow Democratic contenders, he rolled out the platform ahead of a campaign swing through Iowa.

But unlike some other 2020 Democrats, Buttigieg delves a bit deeper into farm labor issues. He's calling for protections for farmworkers looking to organize (they're not currently protected under the National Labor Relations Act) and setting up a "community renewal" visa for skilled immigrants who commit to living in smaller communities for three years to become eligible for a green card.

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) has also proposed ensuring migrant workers are able to organize and shielding them from mass deportations, along with other protections. Buttigieg's rollout comes after a trio of other primary candidates released rural policy plans last week.

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