ag labor
House Ag Committee seeks labor input from growers
The U.S. House Agriculture Committee has created a bipartisan Agricultural Labor Working Group and is asking growers of specialty crops and other commodities to complete an online survey. The committee’s chairman, Glenn “GT” Thompson, and... more »
EFI offers tips on dealing with summer heat
As the nation experiences a summer of extreme heat, the Equitable Food Initiative (EFI) is raising awareness about the dangers and symptoms of heat and sun exposure. The EFI provides a downloadable tip sheet for... more »
What do farmworkers and NFL players have in common?
What do professional football players and farmworkers have in common? They have long seasons, traveling from place to place. They have to spend time away from their family. They frequently deal with aches, pains and... more »
Ag Labor Review: What if your workforce disappears overnight?
In mid-May, the Florida legislature passed a bill mandating electronic verification of all workers for employers with 25 employees or more through the federal E-Verify system. Legal experts have indicated the law would apply only... more »
Ag labor bill introduced for third time
A bipartisan group in the U.S. House of Representatives has reintroduced the Farm Workforce Modernization Act for the third time, seeking a workforce solution to the labor-stressed specialty crop industry and other farm sectors. The... more »
Groups plan legal challenge to new Florida immigration law
A group of civil rights organizations plan to challenge Florida’s new immigration law that specialty crop growers say severely threatens their ability to hire a workforce. The law, Senate Bill 1718, went into effect July... more »
Bipartisan House Committee group focuses on labor, H-2A
The House Committee on Agriculture is taking a look at the H-2A temporary visa guest worker program and other issues to address the lack of labor in the fruit and vegetable industry. The committee formed... more »
Falling Apples: Growers challenged by costs, declining acreage
U.S. apple growers are producing more fruit — and additional club varieties — on fewer acres but are also challenged by a series of higher growing costs during inflationary times. Chris Gerlach, director of industry... more »
House committee seeks answers on DOL H-2A delays
U.S. House and Senate Republicans are questioning the Department of Labor about what they say are “substantial delays” in processing agricultural employers’ requests for workers through the H-2A temporary visa program. In a May 25... more »
Florida’s new immigration law ignites panic in ag community
A new immigration law recently signed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is reported to be creating panic in the state's agricultural operations. The new law is expected to produce a wide-ranging impact on a variety... more »