Labor
Building a better understanding of farm life
It can come down to our frame of reference. I have a good friend in California who grew up on a dairy farm. His father and grandfather were born in the Azores Islands and, as... more »
New data shows surge in demand for H-2A ag workers
Recently released data from the U.S. Department of Labor reflects surging demand for temporary agricultural employees under the H-2A program. DOL data for the first two quarters of Fiscal Year 2022 indicate that program applications... more »
Heat is on to keep protecting workers on the farm
After what has seemed to be a long and mostly dreary winter, the weather this week in Washington, D.C., has shaken off those wintry doldrums, washing the city and its environs in glorious sunshine and... more »
Oregon OSHA adopts rules protecting against high heat, wildfire smoke
The Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division announced on May 11 the adoption of rules to protect workers from the hazards of high heat and wildfire smoke. The rules encompass initial protective measures for workers... more »
Farmworker Awareness Week drives increasing attention
Farmworker Awareness Week was successful for Equitable Food Initiative, the workforce development and certification organization that partners with growers, farmworkers, retailers and consumer groups. The second year of promoting Farmworker Awareness Week generated more than... more »
Washington state’s Dan Newhouse urges action on ag labor reform measure
Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Washington, hosted a press conference on April 27 with community leaders and advocacy organizations to urge action on his legislation, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act. The groups tacking part included the National... more »
California farm labor survey can gather stories, impact policy
From the Industrial Revolution to the Great Recession, labor markets and the nature of employment itself have been greatly altered during periods of both historical growth and stagnation. In early 2020, the world experienced a... more »
EFI hires Michael Lacey as business development manager
Equitable Food Initiative, the workforce development and certification organization that partners with growers, farmworkers, retailers and consumer groups, has added produce industry veteran Michael Lacey to the position of business development manager. In the role,... more »