Labor
2023: The year in review
To specialty crop growers, and farmers in general, 2023’s big news in the industry wasn’t totally unforeseen: lack of labor is still an issue, severe weather damaged crops and technology continues to advance automation in... more »
EFI introduces customized audit approach
A new customizable audit tool released by Equitable Food Initiative (EFI) is designed to alleviate audit fatigue and streamline the certification process. EFI, the capacity-building and certification organization that partners with growers, farmworkers, retailers and... more »
Washington winegrowers group to host Winevit 2024
This year’s iteration of WineVit, a three day conference for winegrape growers, vintners and industry professionals, is scheduled for Feb. 5-7. The Washington Winegrowers Association is announcing the WineVit 2024 Convention and Trade Show. The... more »
U.S. legislators seek halt to H-2A wage hike
Seventy-five members of the U.S. House of Representatives signed a letter to the House and Senate appropriations committees, voicing concerns about the rising wage rate in the H-2A program. The rate, known as the Adverse... more »
Autonomous Burro robot features more power
Burro has launched its most powerful labor-saving autonomous robot, the Burro Grande. Burro Grande is designed to exceed the limits of what a farmworker can do, as a pallet-scale vehicle that can handle a 1,500-pound... more »
Georgia protests H-2A labor wage increases
Growers in Georgia who employ workers through the H-2A temporary visa program are paying 21% more than 14 months ago, and the state’s attorney general is joining growers in protesting what they say is a... more »
Farm Labor Review: DOL’s end run
One might think, if even just for a moment, that when the U.S. Supreme Court speaks specifically to an issue, government agencies would respect the Supreme Court’s opinion. Sadly, and to the detriment of agricultural... more »
EFI touts impactful year
Equitable Food Initiative (EFI) is celebrating a year of progress in 2023 toward its mission to offer a full suite of supply chain assurance programs to the fresh produce industry. EFI, the capacity-building and certification... more »