Labor
IFPA calls H-2A wages an ‘assault’ on produce industry
The International Fresh Produce Association is projecting an almost 7% average increase pay rates for workers in the H-2A program, based on the recent release of the annual U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Labor Survey... more »
Ag labor group sues to halt H-2A changes
The National Council of Agricultural Employers (NCAE) has filed a legal challenge to changes in the H-2A program. The lawsuit alleges that the Department of Labor has “unlawfully repealed a final rule duly issued, prescribed... more »
Workers benefit from flu vaccines, COVID-19 boosters
This year has been the worst year for flu in the United States in over a decade, according to recently released federal data. Farmworkers, and especially those who live in shared housing with other workers,... more »
H-2A changes to be addressed in Penn State webinar
To prepare growers for significant program regulation changes coming in 2023 for users of H-2A labor, Penn State Extension is planning a webinar. Through a Dec. 13 Zoom webinar, Penn State labor authorities plan to... more »
Autonomous tractors startup sees investment
Sabanto, a hardware and software company developing autonomous capabilities in tractors, is the first investment from Cooperative Ventures, a venture capital fund formed by North American farm cooperatives. Founded in 2018, Sabanto is deploying fully-autonomous... more »
PickTrace labor management expands services
A labor management company that offers fresh produce industry growers a digital solution for time, attendance and productivity tracking of employees has expanded services to ease hiring and payment processes. PickTrace, Glendale, California, first offered... more »
AI partnership helps reduce greenhouse labor issues
Blue Radix, a company specializing in autonomous growing, is partnering with Microsoft to use artificial intelligence to help reduce the scarcity of greenhouse labor and crop expertise. Greenhouses around the world are facing a unique... more »
Western Growers seeks info on harvest automation
Western Growers is asking for information from growers and agtech start-ups for the second year of data collection for the Global Harvest Automation Report. The surveys will help the industry confront the ongoing threat from... more »