Labor

Vegetable council hands out awards during Great Lakes EXPO

The Michigan Vegetable Council (MVC) handed out two awards during the annual banquet of the Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable & Farm Market EXPO.Master Farmer AwardThe Master Farmer Award is given in recognition of outstanding farming... more »

New MVC president wants to tackle labor, public relations

Ralph Oomen is in line to become the next president of the Michigan Vegetable Council (MVC). Currently the vice president, he'll start his two-year term as president in 2013.Ralph's family has been farming in western... more »

Sweet corn, peaches pair well for Ohio grower

There aren't many young fruit and vegetable growers out there, and it worries Gordon Hahn. Hahn, 55, grows fruit, vegetable and grain crops in Huron, Ohio. His seed salesman tells him he's one of the... more »

Mich. pickle farm accused of cheating workers

The federal government is accusing a northern Michigan farm of failing to pay minimum wage to migrant workers who picked pickling cucumbers.A lawsuit filed in Grand Rapids federal court also accuses Darryl Howes and Ron... more »

Congresswoman moves to crack down on children in fields

Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-East Los Angeles) is calling for new protections for kids who work in agriculture, specifically large corporate farms across the United States. She is re-introducing a bill called the "Care Act," to... more »

U.S.-Mexico tomato fight puts jobs, prices on the line

Mexico and the United States are gearing for a costly showdown over fresh tomatoes – a $3.5-billion business for the two countries – in a move that could boost the fortunes of some American tomato... more »

USDA gives grants to specialty crops

USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced $101 million in grants to support America's specialty crops producers, who provide the fruits, vegetables, nuts and other nutritious foods for millions of healthy American meals each day.Approximately $55... more »

Electronic filing for H-2A program coming

The U.S. Department of Labor has announced the imminent implementation of electronic filing in the H-2A and H-2B visa programs through the department's iCERT Visa Portal System.Electronic filing in the H-2A program will begin Dec.... more »