Brian Nearing is reporting for the Times Union U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue toured John and Becky Altobelli's vegetable farm in Valatie, August 23, as part of a whirlwind visit to Columbia County where he heard from several local farmers on Mexican labor, Canadian steel, depressed prices for milk and other topics. Foreign workers "are part of the productivity of the American farmer in a very unique way," said Perdue. With farmers across the country relying on tens of thousands of seasonal workers, Perdue said the Agriculture Department is trying to speed up the visa process. U.S. Rep. John Faso, who joined Perdue on the tour, said he was backing a bill to provide a "legal stable agricultural work force" that could cover 3 million currently undocumented people in the U.S. The measure would require the workers to return to their home country periodically as a "touchback" provision. On the issue of imposed U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods, Perdue said the charges were necessary to achieve beneficial ends, likening it go going on a diet "that might not feel good at first." He said Canadian barriers to U.S. products were unfair and that the U.S. had to respond in kind. Asked about depressed prices for milk and other agricultural products, Perdue said details on which U.S. commodities will receive government subsidies will be announced August 27. He did not indicate whether milk would be included. Perdue hinted that some kind of agreement with Mexico on trade issues could be announced "maybe tomorrow, maybe next week ... Once Mexico is in hand, we hope that Canada will come along quickly." Read the full story in the Times Union.