dignity act

DHS and USDA Move to Protect American Farmers

Dan General, Industry News Release, Labor and Immigration

Ensure Continued Flow of America’s Food Supply Department to Temporarily Amend Certain H-2A Requirements During COVID-19 National Emergency (USDA) — The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with the support of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), has announced a temporary final rule to change certain H-2A requirements to help U.S. agricultural employers avoid disruptions in lawful agricultural-related employment, protect the …

dignity act

Coronavirus Safety Fact Sheets for Workers

Dan Alabama, Aquaculture, Beef, Cattle, Citrus, Corn, Cotton, Dairy, Field Crops, Florida, Forestry, Fruits, General, Georgia, Hemp, Industry, Industry News Release, Labor and Immigration, Livestock, Nursery Crops, Organic, Peanuts, Pecans, Research, Soybeans, Specialty Crops, Sugar, Vegetables, Wheat

Author: E. Vanessa Campoverde, UF/IFAS (UF/IFAS) — I have received several questions regarding what to do if you have employees or work with others during this Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in agricultural operations and related businesses. While there is plenty of information about how the virus work, how to protect yourself and others, etc. I compiled some information (with images) that can …

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Commissioner Nikki Fried Guidance on Essential Food and Agriculture Workers During Stay-at-Home Order

Dan Florida, Industry News Release, Labor and Immigration

(FDACS) — In response to the Governor issuing a stay-at-home order due to COVID-19, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried offered the following statement on the essential role of food and agriculture workers who are exempt from this order. This exemption is consistent with the Department of Homeland Security’s identification of essential critical infrastructure workers during COVID-19 response. “Agriculture is Florida’s second-largest industry, and it’s first-largest in …

florida

USDA and DOL Announce Information Sharing to Assist H-2A Employers

Dan Industry News Release, Labor and Immigration

(USDA) — U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced a partnership between the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to help facilitate the identification of foreign and domestic workers that may be available and eligible to transfer to other U.S. agricultural sector employers to fulfill critical workforce needs within the U.S. under existing regulatory …

food prices

U.S. Agriculture Focused on Stable Food Supply, Farm Labor Worries Grow

Dan General, Industry News Release, Labor and Immigration

(AFBF) — U.S. agriculture is working diligently to maintain the stability of our food supply as concerns over COVID-19 lead to increased consumer purchases of groceries and other items.  The following statement may be attributed to American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall about the commitment of farmers and ranchers, as well as a serious concern related to the U.S. …

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Senate Rolls Out Last Minute E-Verify ‘Compromise’

Dan Florida, Industry News Release, Labor and Immigration

(NSF) — A last-minute deal on E-Verify emerged in the Senate on Friday, moving the Republican-dominated Legislature closer to giving Gov. Ron DeSantis a win on a key campaign promise. After weeks of negotiating with the governor’s office and reviewing a House proposal, Senate bill sponsor Tom Lee said Friday the Senate earlier that day had reached a “compromise” that …

farm labor

Changes Sought for E-Verify Proposal

Dan Industry News Release, Labor and Immigration

(NSF) — Ahead of a Senate hearing on an E-Verify proposal, a key Republican lawmaker Monday filed potential changes that would significantly narrow a bill that seeks to require immigration checks for new employees. The Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by Sen. David Simmons, R-Altamonte Springs, is scheduled Tuesday to consider a controversial proposal (SB 664) that would mandate all public …

agriculture

E-Verify Divides Republican Leaders as Session Starts

Dan Industry News Release, Labor and Immigration

(NSF) — Gov. Ron DeSantis’ push for a politically charged immigration proposal has begun to expose a clash between Republicans as this year’s legislative session starts. The governor kicked off the session Tuesday by reminding lawmakers about one of his top priorities: a proposed mandate for all Florida employers to use the federal government’s E-Verify system to check new hires …

farm labor

Possible E-Verify Compromise Emerges

Dan Industry News Release, Labor and Immigration

(NSF) — The Republican-dominated Legislature has long pushed back against requiring employers to conduct immigration background checks for new hires, but a bill filed Friday includes a potential compromise that could hand a win to Gov. Ron DeSantis on the controversial issue. The bill, filed by Rep. Cord Byrd, R-Neptune Beach, would require government employers — such as state agencies …

wages

Study Shows Farmers are Paying Higher Wages

Dan Industry News Release, Labor and Immigration

(NAFB) — Farm Journal recently conducted a study that encompassed all sectors of agriculture. What they found was farmers are paying more in wages than at any point in history. They’re more efficient in using their available labor. However, they’re still frustrated. The survey of more than 2,100 farmers included almost 200 dairy farmers. Of the total producers, 87 percent …