Labor

Protecting farm labor during the COVID-19 pandemic

Maintaining a healthy farm workforce is more important than ever to limit the spread of COVID-19 and to ensure a successful harvest. Farms should continue to enforce food safety best practices already in place, such... more »

Breaking: Agency temporarily amends H-2A rules during coronavirus crisis

The Department of Homeland Security, with the support of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, announced April 15 a temporary final rule to change certain H-2A requirements to help U.S. agricultural employers avoid disruptions in lawful... more »

Agricultural workers’ protection addressed by California relief proposal

With California farms facing labor shortages, grocers experiencing empty shelves because of logistical bottlenecks, and many of the state's up to one million farmworkers lacking access to health care, Assembly member Robert Rivas, D-Hollister, on... more »

Farmworker protection, supply continuity resources set by EFI

In these times of uncertainty as the world responds to the coronavirus, Equitable Food Initiative has curated a library of best-in-class resources and practices that provides for employee communication during the current pandemic. EFI is... more »

Respirator fit-testing temporary guidance expanded during COVID-19 pandemic

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has expanded temporary guidance provided in a March 14, 2020, memorandum regarding supply shortages of N95s or other filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This... more »

Veterans struggling with job loss connected with farms in Arkansas

Arkansas Congressman Rick Crawford on April 6 launched Farm Corps in partnership with Arkansas Farm Bureau, Arkansas Department of Agriculture, Arkansas National Guard, University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, and the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs. The... more »

Ag worker protection advisory shared for Michigan operations

Even though Michigan’s agricultural industry is recognized as a critical and essential infrastructure industry under Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s stay-at-home order, agricultural employers need to continue protecting the health of workers and the broader community. Whitmer's “Stay... more »

Farm worker documentation stressed amid essential nature of agriculture

Reports have been circulating online – originating primarily in surrounding states, suggestive of potential conflicts between law enforcement officers and farm workers during these times of restricted travel. Thus far, situations like this have not... more »