Labor
Blueberry Packing Plant Being Built in Grandview
Construction is under way on a $2.4 million blueberry packing plant and cold storage building that could provide up to 35 jobs in this community. Tri-City Herald (Wash.)Click here to read the rest of the... more »
New York Debates Farm Labor Bill – Again
By Matt Milkovich, Managing Editor A controversial farm labor bill remains stalled in the New York State Senate, and it’s anyone’s guess whether or not it will pass. New York’s farmers certainly hope it doesn’t.... more »
Focus of Immigration Enforcement on Employers
In June 2009, the Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency issued 650 I-9 audits, more than in all of 2008. In November, ICE issued another 1,000 audits. The increased number of... more »
More H-2A Rules
Did some traveling this winter. Went to Sandusky in January for the annual conference of the Ohio Produce Growers & Marketers Association. Learned more about Ohio’s alternative to California’s produce safety plans. Went to Pennsylvania... more »
Ag Can Cure Country’s Woes
As I watch our government blunder, giving away billions of dollars to banks, special interest groups and foreign governments and arguing over health care reform, it occurred to me that agriculture has totally lost its... more »
Migrant Worker Told Police He Shot Edward Rasch in the Chest After He Was Fired, Arrest Affidavit Sh
Alone in the United States for over 23 years, Socorro Hurtado-Garcia became part of Edward Rasch's family, but court records show a December layoff severed those ties and led to Hurtado-Garcia plotting his boss' death.... more »
Chase Vineyards: Enjoying the Fruit of their Labor
Leroy and Mary Louise Chase represent many longtime farmers, not only in Mendocino County but throughout California's wine country. Ukiah Daily JournalClick here to read the rest of the story. more »
Great Recession Effects Could Linger for Decades
We may be just beginning to emerge from a really big, but “normal,” recession. It’s “normal” for the circumstances, but this recession is “abnormal” in that its effects are likely to linger for years and... more »
Idaho Fruit Research Program Saved by Private Funds
The fruit research program at the Parma, Idaho, Research and Extension Center has been saved from elimination – and the station itself saved from closure – by an industry benefactor with little interest in fruit.... more »
A Nifty Sucker: Vacuum Machine Harvests Fresh-Market Apples
A vacuum-cleaner-like machine that boosts apple picker productivity by 25 percent, cuts the level of bruising in half compared to hand picking and can use less experienced, less physically robust workers was demonstrated in a... more »