farmers

Farmers Buried by New Labor Rules

Dan Labor and Immigration

The U.S. Department of Labor released yet another rule that mires farm families in excessive compliance costs while disregarding privacy concerns for farmers and their employees. With this addition, DOL sets itself apart as the agency most committed to burying farmers and other H-2A employers in a mountain of regulations. American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented on today’s …

Farm Labor Still a Major Issue

Dan Labor and Immigration

Farm labor is still a major issue for many growers across not only the Southeast, but across the country. Tyron Spearman has the latest H2A program recommendations. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 1, 2024Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril 1, 2024

Florida Bill Could Clear Way for Farmworker Housing

Dan Florida, Labor and Immigration, Legislative

(NSF/TALLAHASSEE, FL/March 18, 2024) — Florida’s agriculture industry hopes a newly passed bill that would limit local regulations on farmworker housing will bolster efforts to bring in more non-immigrant foreign workers. The bill (SB 1082), which lawmakers unanimously passed, would prevent cities and counties from taking steps to “inhibit” construction of housing for farmworkers on agricultural land. The bill has …

House Agriculture Committee Offers Farm Labor Solution

Dan Agri-Business, Labor and Immigration, Legislative

The House Agriculture Committee laid out a roadmap to relieve labor shortages that have seriously impacted America’s farmers and ranchers. The Agriculture Labor Working Group (ALWG) released its final report on how to improve the H-2A guest worker program. It includes more than 20 recommendations to streamline the program and make labor more affordable for farmers. “We’re losing American farms …

A Pilot to Improve Ag Workforce

Dan Agri-Business, Labor and Immigration, This Land of Ours

A new USDA pilot program has grant funding now available for ag employees needing resources to address various farm labor and workforce challenges. Rod Bain has more in today’s This Land of Ours report. The Ag sector in recent years has faced several challenges regarding its workforce. “How to add Employer Support and create a safe and healthy work environment. …

West Coast Port Workers Ratify Labor Contract

Dan Agri-Business, Economy, Labor and Immigration, U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF)

Last week, members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), which represents dockworkers at all U.S. West Coast ports, voted to ratify a tentative contract agreement. The Union voted 75 percent in favor of approving the agreement that runs until 2028 six-year agreement is retroactive to July 1, 2022, and runs through July 1, 2028. U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO …

Challenges for House Ag Labor Working Group

Dan Agri-Business, Funding, Labor and Immigration, Legislative

Congress is looking into farm labor needs around the nation, but it is a challenging task. The House Agriculture Committee recently announced the creation of the bipartisan Agricultural Labor Working Group (see news release below), which will focus on the workforce issues faced by agricultural producers around the nation. Congressman and farmer Doug LaMalfa (R-CA-01) says the current system needs …

USDA Hiring Engineers, Natural Resource Specialists

Dan Labor and Immigration, USDA-NRCS

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it is ramping up hiring for key positions to help strengthen agricultural conservation efforts. The available positions, through the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), include engineers, civil engineering technicians and natural resource specialists. The application period for engineer positions and engineering technicians is currently open and natural resource specialist opportunities will open next week. …