H-2A
USCIS launches data hub for H-2A employers
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has launched an H-2A Employer Data Hub to provide information to the public on employers or agents petitioning for H-2A workers. The data hub is part of USCIS' continued... more »
New grower shares struggles, successes in starting new farm
Young growers’ enthusiasm and energy for the job were shared in January at the Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference in Savannah, Georgia. Dan and Jessica Perdue discussed their first years of efforts in starting... more »
Labor crunch fuels automation, H-2A growth
Desperation for agricultural labor is transforming how growers pick and pack their fruit. That’s the message Titan Farms’ Chalmers Carr III had for a group of growers who in August attended a Grand Rapids, Michigan,... more »
Latest in visa and housing news to be shared at 2019 EXPO
After the proposed H-2C visas failed to gain support from the legislature, changes to H-2A and H-2B visas were revisited. The changes and new considerations growers need to make will be the focus of several... more »
Great Lakes EXPO speakers to cover labor environment
It isn’t news to growers that the agri-labor market is a challenge. The shortage in able-bodied workers and difficulty filling H-2A visas, plus the added financial burdens included in requirements for utilizing H-2A workers, makes... more »
For growers using H-2A labor, housing tops difficulties
Growers using the H-2A visa program for seasonal labor say it’s working, but among the program’s most difficult rules are its housing requirements. At a panel discussion at the Northwest Michigan Orchard and Vineyard Show... more »
Seeing eye to eye with inspectors
In establishing relationships with Department of Labor (DOL) investigators, there is a fine line between being cooperative and being walked on. That is the message shared by Ann Margaret Pointer, attorney with Fisher & Phillips... more »
House Judiciary Committee OKs guestworker, E-Verify bills
On Oct. 25, the House Judiciary Committee approved by a vote of 17-16 a bill to create a new agricultural guestworker program for America’s farmers and ranchers. H.R. 4092, the Agricultural Guestworker Act (AG Act),... more »
Grower finishes 17 years of labor advocacy in capital
For the better part of two decades, tomato grower Fred Leitz has regularly left the family farm in Sodus, Michigan to advocate in the nation's capital for reform of agricultural labor laws. Leitz this spring... more »
H-2A struggles to keep up with grower demand
H-2A, the country’s agricultural guest-worker program, continues to grow. According to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), the number of H-2A workers jumped from 77,246 to 165,741 between 2011 and 2016. Since 2001, there’s been... more »
Current Issue
On-farm AI: Water, farm, labor research guide decisions
Data collection tool expands farm management
Carmel Valley winegrapes: Parsonage Village Vineyard
IFTA Yakima Valley tour provides orchard insights
IFTA recognizes tree fruit honorees
Pennsylvania recognizes fruit industry professionals
Fresh Views 40 Under 40
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