Labor

USDA releases its Farm Labor Survey; previews H-2A wage rates

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) gave a preview on Feb. 11 of what the 2021 H-2A wage rates will be. USDA released its Farm Labor Survey (FLS), which the Department of Labor (DOL) will... more »

California cantaloupe farmers begin vaccinations for essential workforce

Essential workers employed by California cantaloupe growers are among some of the first front-line food workers to receive COVID vaccines in the state which grows the vast majority of our nation’s fruits and vegetables. “We’re... more »

Those most at-risk of COVID-19 death include food, ag workers

A University of California, San Francisco study of the jobs at most risk for death from COVID-19 shows line cooks, machine operators, agricultural workers, bakers, and construction laborers at the top of the list. The... more »

H-2A program demand strong, despite COVID-19

Recently released H-2A program data reveals some interesting impacts of the global COVID-19 pandemic. As reported by Veronica Nigh, economist for the American Farm Bureau Federation, for the first time since the Department of Labor... more »

Migrant Labor Housing Board includes several Michigan growers

Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Director Gary McDowell appointed 14 members to the Migrant Labor Housing Advisory Board on Feb. 4. The appointees represent five agriculture seats, five migrant labor seats, and four... more »

Emergency COVID-19 regulations face lawsuit from Washington groups

Leading agriculture groups in Washington state announced Feb. 2 they are taking legal action against the sate of Washington over recently renewed emergency COVID-19 regulations they say are ill-conceived, increase health risks to essential farm... more »

If it involves ag labor, it was cited at virtual forum

Record-breaking attendance greeted speakers at the Seventh Annual Ag Labor Forum held Dec. 2-4. This year, due to COVID-19 concerns, the forum was presented in a virtual format by the National Council of Agricultural Employers... more »

Jerry Mills: Machines, conventions and other farm tidbits

Editor’s note: Jerry Mills has written Notes from the Farm for Vegetable Growers News for the past 17 years. This column is a look back at one of his first columns, written in March 2004.... more »