Labor

Specialty crops: Highest share of labor costs to total cash expenses at 39%

Some types of farms rely more on farm labor than others. According to data from USDA’s Agricultural Resources Management Survey, hired farm labor (including employees and contract labor) accounted for 13% on average, of the... more »

Legal alert eyes guidance for ag employers during COVID-19

The CDC and the U.S. Department of Labor recently released interim guidance for all agriculture employers to provide an action template to protect agriculture workers from COVID-19. Atlanta,, Georgia-based law firm Fisher Phillips has issued... more »

NCAE Column: Strong people come to the forefront in troubled times

Hard times create strong people. That must be why farm and ranch families are so tough. They’ve seen more than their share of hard times. Think of it. The cherry grower had a perfect bloom.... more »

Guidance to help ag workers during pandemic released by OSHA, CDC

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration on June 2 issued guidance that includes recommended actions to protect agriculture workers from exposure to the coronavirus. According to a news release, prevention and... more »

Michigan migrant workers living in congregate housing part of executive order

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on June 1 signed Executive Order 2020-111, which provides additional requirements and procedures to keep agricultural workers and the food supply safe from the effects of COVID-19. “It’s critical for Michiganders... more »

Demand for seasonal workers met by AG&P launch of ag workforce solutions

Houston-based AG&P Americas has launched a new service line offering workforce solutions for the U.S. agriculture sector amid shortages in seasonal farm labor. Headquartered in Spring, Texas, AG&P Fieldwork – Agriculture Services provides farmers with... more »

Washington agriculture has new COVID-19 requirements

On May 28, Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee released Proclamation 20-57, “Concerning the Health of Agricultural Workers” which provides required protections that must be in place by June 4. Full details of requirements can be found... more »

Ag Vulnerability Index measures risk to supply chain due to worker illness

The Department of Agricultural Economics at Purdue University, in collaboration with Microsoft, has created the Purdue Food and Agricultural Vulnerability Index online dashboard to quantify the potential risk to the supply of agricultural products as a result... more »