Labor

Gov. Rick Snyder to Michigan Farm Bureau: Agriculture has bright future

Gov. Rick Snyder says agriculture is the "shining star"of Michigan's industries and a key engine in driving the state's economy."You're the group that kept us going during 2000 to 2010,"he said Thursday, Nov. 29, at... more »

Free agriculture labor workshop in California

The North Coast Small Business Development Center in partnership with the UC Cooperative Extension office and California Farm link is pleased to offer a free workshop for agricultural enterprises who have employees, interns, apprentices, or... more »

Washington state selling record high amount of apples

Washington apple shippers and packers say this year's fresh apple crop will reach record highs despite early worries about hail damage and not enough pickers.The apple crop is expected to hit 121.5 million boxes, according... more »

Bitter harvest: U.S. farmers blame billion-dollar losses on immigration laws

Ralph and Cheryl Broetje rely on roughly 1,000 seasonal workers every year to grow and pack more than 6 million boxes of apples on their farm along the Snake River in eastern Washington. It’s a... more »

Strawberry workers say no to UFW bid: Secret ballot held at Watsonville and Salinas ranches

Strawberry workers at Corralitos Farms have rejected a bid for representation by the United Farm Workers.The results of the secret ballot election, held Wednesday at Wilder Ranch in Watsonville and Salinas Airport Ranch in Monterey... more »

Shriveled Mich. apple harvest means fewer jobs, tough year ahead

An apple a day might keep the doctor away, but what do you do when there are no apples? It's a question western Michigan's apple growers are dealing with this season after strange weather earlier... more »

Workers needed for state’s second-largest apple crop

Every Washington apple is removed from the tree by hand. And this year, there may not be enough hands for all the apples.Though statewide hail damage cut into what had promised to be the state's... more »

‘Extraordinary’ fruit crop loss hits farmers, migrant workers where it hurts

Farmers and fruit growers in West Michigan are concerned about the small crop coming up in the fall and the impact these dismal numbers will have when it comes to migrant workers, packagers and an... more »