Labor
H-2A project expanding to include vegetable growers
For Michigan's fruit and vegetable growers, use of the federal H-2A program – which allows agricultural employers to hire foreign workers on a temporary basis – was almost nonexistent before last year, when four apple... more »
Organic growers face challenges and opportunities
David Coveyou, owner of Scenic Farm in Petoskey, Michigan, who works with farm manager Laura Judge, discussed how they "cultivated farm resiliency and transitioned to organic production" during a presentation at the 2014 Great Lakes... more »
Michigan H-2A project expanding to include asparagus
For Michigan's fruit and vegetable growers, use of the federal H-2A program – which allows agricultural employers to hire foreign workers on a temporary basis – was almost nonexistent before last year, when four apple... more »
Precision agriculture poised for growth
An agricultural engineering professor, in the forefront of high-tech innovation, believes there are significant advantages for specialty crop operators who pursue and adapt precision agriculture technologies.The bottom line – impacted by such trends as a... more »
Obama actions ‘not expected’ to ease farm labor concerns
A call for a more targeted approach to help improve the farm labor environment marked early reaction from the agriculture community to President Barack Obama's issuance of a series of executive actions to grant as... more »
Ag interests await impact of Obama’s announcement
The agriculture community was awaiting details on Thursday night's announcement by President Barack Obama in which it's anticipated he will issue a series of executive actions to grant as many as 5 million unauthorized immigrants... more »
Labor, food safety, transportation priorities for new MVC president
Joe Pirrone will be the next president of the Michigan Vegetable Council (MVC). He'll start his two-year term in 2015, replacing outgoing president Ralph Oomen.Pirrone, 59, is the former owner of Mike Pirrone Produce, a... more »
Association seeks to unite Colorado’s fruit, vegetable growers
A small but expanding group in Colorado is carefully nurturing a new association that brings together fruit and vegetable growers from all the key growing regions in the state.The Colorado Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association... more »