H-2A Archives - Specialty Crop Industry

GFVGA Leader: Information is Key When Managing Labor-Related Issues

Jim Rogers — Fri, 06 Oct 2023 10:00:00 +0000

By Clint Thompson The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) wants to help its specialty crop farmers stay compliant with H-2A and other federal regulations. The Georgia Ag Labor Relations Forum is designed to provide producers all the information they need to remain on the right side of compliance. The annual two-day event, scheduled for Nov. 14-15 at the ...

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USDA Launches Program to Support Producers, Farmworkers

Jim Rogers — Thu, 28 Sep 2023 09:30:00 +0000

Southeast specialty crop growers should be aware that the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Labor Stabilization and Protection Pilot Program (FLSP) will award up to $65 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding to support agricultural employers in implementing robust labor standards that promote a safe, healthy work environment for both U.S. workers and workers hired from northern Central American ...

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Chairman Thompson, Ranking Member Scott Announce Bipartisan Working Group Tackling Agriculture Workforce Challenges

Jim Rogers — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 15:30:00 +0000

House Committee on Agriculture Chairman GT Thompson (PA-15) and Ranking Member David Scott (GA-13) released a joint statement last week after announcing the formation of the bipartisan Agricultural Labor Working Group, which is focusing on the workforce issues faced by the nation’s Ag producers: “The Committee on Agriculture has heard loud and clear from producers across the nation that one ...

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Grower Calls for H-2A Fix, Labor Reform

Jim Rogers — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 11:00:00 +0000

By Frank Giles There’s a farm labor crisis facing American agriculture. Adam Lytch was among the growers who took that message to Washington, D.C., on May 31 to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Lytch, regional manager at L&M Farms, called on lawmakers to consider comprehensive immigration reform that recognizes the needs of farmers who grow the domestic food supply. Lytch, ...

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Out of Business: Gloomy Future for Florida Blueberry Farmers

Jim Rogers — Tue, 30 May 2023 14:45:00 +0000

By Clint Thompson Florida’s recent lack of success in profiting from its blueberry crop has prompted some farmers to leave the business altogether. “I already know of three farms for sale. I think you’re going to see a couple of people go out of business,” said Ryan Atwood, who lives in Mount Dora, Florida and farms 56 acres of blueberries, ...

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Farmer Testimony: There’s No Future in Farming

Jim Rogers — Thu, 04 May 2023 11:15:00 +0000

By Clint Thompson Farming is more than just a specialty crop producer’s occupation; it’s a way of life. That is why growers become emotional when discussing their livelihood that is threatened by surging input costs, unfair trade practices and costly labor alternatives. Michael Hill is one of those farmers that’s been challenged by the current agricultural landscape. He discussed the ...

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Labor Leads List of Grower Concerns

Jim Rogers — Mon, 06 Mar 2023 11:00:00 +0000

By Zhengfei Guan and Kuan-Ming Huang In a packed conference room at an industry event, a Florida grower sitting in a discussion panel was asked: “You wake up at 2:00 in the morning. What worries you the most?” “Labor,” answered the grower without a second of doubt. Labor has been an issue that bothers not only Florida farmers but those ...

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Farm Groups Express Concern Over New Methodology for Determining AEWR

Jim Rogers — Fri, 03 Mar 2023 12:00:00 +0000

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) published its final rule this week publish to amend how the Adverse Effect Wage Rates (AEWR) for the H-2A program are set to improve the rates’ consistency and accuracy based on the work actually performed by the workers and to better prevent H-2A workers’ employment negatively affecting the wages of U.S. workers in similar ...

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Senate Labor Act Left Out of Omnibus Deal

Jim Rogers — Thu, 22 Dec 2022 22:13:51 +0000

By Frank Giles On Dec. 22, the U.S. Senate passed the omnibus appropriations bill. The $1.7 trillion measure would fund the federal government through the remainder of 2023. The measure now moves to the U.S. House of Representatives for a vote to avoid a government shutdown on the evening of Dec. 23. Much to the dismay of farm groups nationwide, ...

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US Department of Labor: Final Rule Improves H-2A

Jim Rogers — Fri, 14 Oct 2022 11:00:00 +0000

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor announced a final rule to amend H-2A temporary labor certification regulations that improves worker safety and updates the H-2A application and temporary labor certification process. The final rule was published in the Federal Register on Oct. 12, 2022. After the department proposed changes to the H-2A program’s regulations in a Notice of Proposed ...

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