Labor

DOL webinar focuses on H-2A wage changes

The Department of Labor’s Office of Foreign Labor Certification has scheduled a webinar on April 4 to educate stakeholders on new wage rules for the H-2A program. The DOL recently approved new Adverse Effect Wage... more »

Senators seek rollback of H-2A wages to 2022 rates

Farm groups are urging Congress to pass the Farm Operations Support Act, which would decrease the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) paid to H-2A temporary visa farm workers to 2022 levels. That would drop the... more »

USApple visits White House to talk trade, labor

The U.S. Apple Association’s board of directors recently met with White House policy staff to discuss critical issues, including trade and labor. Sixteen USApple board members from across the country visited the White House March... more »

Sagemoor Vineyards: Columbia River winegrape creation

Technology is an important part of Sagemoor Vineyards’ operations on hills above the Columbia River in Pasco, Washington. In the face of a tighter labor supply, Sagemoor Vineyards relies on advances in farm machinery and... more »

LaserWeeder earns Carbon Robotics spot on innovators list

Carbon Robotics, a leader in AI-powered robotics, has been named to Fast Company’s prestigious annual list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies for 2023. Carbon Robotics is being recognized for the development and impact of its LaserWeeder, a... more »

DOL issues H-2A wage rule, ag groups voice displeasure

The Department of Labor issued its new rule for determining wages for ag workers in the H-2A temporary visa program, and industry groups were quick to voice their displeasure with the new rule. The National... more »

California: Well suited for robots

California Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross told attendees at the inaugural FIRA-USA conference they are part of the important first steps to solving problems of tomorrow. “What are we doing today to invest in equipping the... more »

Investors fund autonomous tractor company Sabanto

Sabanto Inc. has closed an oversubscribed $17M Series A funding round led by ag-tech venture firm Fulcrum Global Capital. DCVC Bio, Hico Capital, Yara Growth Ventures, Cavallo Ventures, Johnsonville Ventures and Trimble Ventures also participated... more »

Consumer attitudes on fresh produce revealed in EFI survey

Equitable Food Initiative (EFI) conducted the “Consumer Attitudes Toward Fresh Produce and “Socially Responsible Purchasing” study and created an actionable guide for attracting socially conscious consumers. The study by EFI, the workforce development and certification... more »

DOL debars Washington orchard operator from H-2A program

The U.S. Department of Labor has debarred an orchard operator in East Wenatchee, Washington, for three years from participating in the H-2A agricultural worker program after investigators determined that the employer provided unsafe and unhealthy... more »