Labor

Robots perform field work at FIRA USA

Allowing growers to watch the latest AgTech products operate in the field was a big part of FIRA USA. Through demonstrations and static displays at the Sept. 19-21 event in Salinas California, technology providers focusing... more »

Autonomous tech invades the ‘Salad Bowl’

Despite a limited number of robots and automated machines being deployed in some grower fields, more buy-in is needed by venture capital (VC) firms that fund AgTech products. The challenge of making robotics and smart... more »

2023: The year in review

To specialty crop growers, and farmers in general, 2023’s big news in the industry wasn’t totally unforeseen: lack of labor is still an issue, severe weather damaged crops and technology continues to advance automation in... more »

New EFI customized audit available

A new customizable audit tool released by Equitable Food Initiative (EFI) is designed to alleviate audit fatigue and streamline the certification process. EFI, the capacity-building and certification organization that partners with growers, farmworkers, retailers and... more »

California winter vegetables thriving in Imperial Valley

Winter vegetable harvest is in full swing in California's Imperial Valley, and growers say the conditions this season have been close to perfect. “I’ve had a great growing season. Everything is on time and beautiful,... more »

Members of Congress voice concern on H-2A wages

Seventy-five members of the U.S. House of Representatives signed a letter to the House and Senate appropriations committees, voicing concerns about the rising wage rate in the H-2A program. The rate, known as the Adverse... more »

Autonomous Burro robot can tow 2.5 tons

Burro has launched its most powerful labor-saving autonomous robot, the Burro Grande. Burro Grande is designed to exceed the limits of what a farmworker can do, as a pallet-scale vehicle that can handle a 1,500-pound... more »

Georgia seeks answers on H-2A wages

Growers in Georgia who employ workers through the H-2A temporary visa program are paying 21% more than 14 months ago, and the state’s attorney general is joining growers in protesting what they say is a... more »