Labor

Gebbers Farms: COVID-19 testing confirms prevention measures work

State COVID-19 testing at one of Washington’s largest fruit growers indicates that Gebbers Farms’ preventive measures have been effective at protecting workers, though the family-owned company continues to mourn the loss of three team members... more »

Pleas to Congress don’t connect; action needed

On March 13, 2020, President Trump declared a national emergency to combat the coronavirus outbreak in the United States. The following week, I was invited by one of our members to join a conference call... more »

Farmers’ markets prove to be essential, resilient

Ninety percent of my work during the COVID-19 crisis has been with farmers’ markets throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The very day that Gov. Tom Wolf announced the closure of schools and businesses, Pennsylvania Secretary... more »

California county joins harvest program providing temporary housing to ag workers

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) on Sept. 3 announced that Santa Barbara County has joined Housing for the Harvest, a new program announced by Gov. Gavin Newsom in August to provide temporary... more »

Appeals court rules against Michigan farmworkers, farmers

A nine-page filing Sept. 2 by the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against farmworkers and farm owners, plaintiffs in a case against the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. According to a report by... more »

Ag, farmworker organizations team with California to distribute face masks

The state of California recently shipped 1.4 million N-95 masks to agricultural commissioners in 35 counties for wildfire smoke protection for farmworkers. This is part of that effort. From a joint news release by the... more »

Ruling against farmworkers in MDHHS testing mandate to be appealed

An Aug. 21 ruling by U.S. District Judge Paul Maloney of the Western District of Michigan denying a request from farmworkers and their employers for an injunction against Michigan Department of Health and Human Services... more »

Coronavirus no match for H-2A demand; data released by DOL

When the U.S. government announced its decision to suspend visa processing in Mexico starting March 18 to combat the spread of the coronavirus, growers around the country immediately expressed concerns that the action could have... more »