Farmers, Ranchers Ready for Long-overdue Immigration Reform

Dan Industry News Release, Labor and Immigration

The following statement may be attributed to American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall: “Every year, farmers and ranchers face greater challenges in finding enough workers to keep their businesses running. The labor shortage on America’s farms and ranches is growing, and the lack of a stable, legal supply of workers places the health of too many farms at risk. …

Perdue Optimistic for Legal Guest Worker Program

Dan Labor and Immigration

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue and House Ag Committee Chairman Mike Conaway were recently asked about a legal guest worker program. Stephanie Ho has the story.     Sponsored ContentNuseed Carinata Covers New GroundJuly 31, 2024CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril 1, 2024

Rep. Carter Discusses H-2A with Secretary of Labor Acosta

Randall Weiseman Labor and Immigration, Legislative

Georgia Rep. Buddy Carter and other members of Congress met with Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta to discuss recommended changes to regulations regarding the H-2A. The officials outlined seven key areas where they wanted to see regulation reform. Those areas are: Streamline the application process and improve operating efficiencies. Refine domestic recruitment requirement Improve housing availability Changes to program eligibility …

Conaway on Bill to Replace Guest Worker Program

Taylor Hillman Labor and Immigration

It’s been announced that Virginia Rep. Bob Goodlatte will introduce a bill this week that would replace the H-2A guest worker program. The bill, titled the Agricultural Guestworker Act or H-2C, was discussed during the Farm Bill listening session held in California last month. Here is House Agriculture Chairman Mike Conaway. 09-25-17 Conaway on Bill to Replace Guest Worker Program …

Proposed Guest Worker Plan to Replace H-2A Worker Program

Dan Industry News Release, Labor and Immigration

Virginia Republican Representative Bob Goodlatte will introduce a bill the week of September 25th that would replace the H-2A guest worker program. The bill is titled the Agricultural Guestworker Act and would replace the program that many in agriculture use to find labor. A Packer Dot Com article says Goodlatte, Chair of the House Judiciary Committee, told the United Fresh …

RCMA Hurricane Relief Fund: Help our farmworkers

Dan Industry News Release, Labor and Immigration

South Florida’s farmworker families are suffering in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma. The storm’s disruption of early-season farm work has left many jobless, homeless and running out of cash. Please join the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association in raising funds to help the Redlands Christian Migrant Association provide immediate basic living essentials and temporary housing needs for these families. Our …

MPI Report: U.S. Agricultural Workforce Being Reshaped

Dan Industry News Release, Labor and Immigration

Shifting Migration & Labor Strategies, with Drop in Unauthorized Share & Rise in Use of H-2A Program Shifting migration patterns and labor strategies are reshaping the overwhelmingly foreign-born U.S. agricultural workforce, with a drop in the share of unauthorized workers and increased employer use of mechanization and the H-2A temporary agricultural worker program, a new Migration Policy Institute report shows. …

Farm Labor Shortage May Drive Produce Prices Higher

Dan Industry News Release, Labor and Immigration

Adding guacamole to your favorite foods may soon become more expensive. Food and Wine Dot Com says a package of almonds may become pricier as well. As California farmers welcomed the end of a serious drought this spring, a serious labor shortage is becoming another issue to deal with. California is where the bulk of the nation’s produce is grown …

Farm Labor Contractors Help Make H-2A Affordable

Randall Weiseman Labor and Immigration

By Jaci Schreckengost With the fear of a domestic labor shortage of agricultural workers in the United States, many growers are turning to H-2A for a guaranteed labor supply. H-2A is a guest-worker program that brings employees from other countries to agricultural worksites in the United States. The downside of this program, however, is the cost. Fritz Roka, associate professor …