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CEO Warns Food Crisis Looms Amid Labor Shortage

10/17/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Beth Ford, Land O’Lakes CEO, warned at Fortune Most Powerful Women Summit that a labor shortage could trigger a 'black swan' event, worsened by immigration policies.
She noted that farmers struggle to find American workers, and 42% of farmworkers are undocumented.
Ford warned a food crisis could arrive within hours if Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detains workers.
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers said immigrant labor absence could impact dairy farming.

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Story summary

Beth Ford, Land O’Lakes CEO, warned at Fortune Most Powerful Women Summit that a labor shortage could trigger a 'black swan' event, worsened by immigration policies.
She noted that farmers struggle to find American workers, and 42% of farmworkers are undocumented.
Ford warned a food crisis could arrive within hours if Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detains workers.
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers said immigrant labor absence could impact dairy farming.