Labor
University of Georgia shares guidelines for ag operations under COVID-19
Farmers and food processors take routine steps to reduce the likelihood of foodborne pathogens, like Salmonella and E. coli, contacting our food and causing illness. The procedures that our food industry takes on a daily... more »
Extension of temporary workers’ comp draws California ag response
In response to California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Executive Order that extends temporary workers’ compensation benefits for COVID-19, a coalition of California agricultural organizations issued the following statement: “As a critical infrastructure industry, agricultural businesses have... more »
Ag groups respond to farmworker mistreatment claims
A national coalition of 64 organizations representing specialty crop producers sent a letter to congressional leadership earlier this week highlighting the extraordinary measures agricultural employers are taking to protect their workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic.... more »
Hiring local workers isn’t easy, Ontario grower says
COVID-19 has turned lives upside down right around the world. People are grappling with illness and death, with separation from family and friends, business closures, job loss, and general uncertainty about what lies ahead. Things... more »
Washington state farmworker housing ’emergency rules’ pursued
Many Washington state farmers rely on foreign workers through the federal H-2A work visa program to harvest their crops. However, the Washington State Department of Health and the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) are... more »
Webinar on May 7 by Penn State focuses on H-2A visa program issues
Penn State Extension will present a townhall-style web-based seminar May 7 to assist Pennsylvania agricultural stakeholders who rely on the H-2A visa program for temporary workers to operate their businesses. The session, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., will cover COVID-19... more »
Farm Bureau encourages farmers to participate in USDA labor survey
The American Farm Bureau Federation is urging farmers to respond to a USDA survey about farm workers’ hours and wages. The survey information is used to provide accurate measures of the farm labor force and... more »
Department of Labor sets $91.8M to assist migrant, seasonal farm workers
The U.S. Department of Labor announced April 13 the availability of up to $91.8 million in grant funding to support the economic stability of farmworkers through the National Farmworker Jobs Program. Overseen by the department’s... more »
