Labor

Plastic mulch machine can cut labor costs in half

At a Florida berry farm, it costs about $200 per acre in man-hours to remove plastic mulch and drip tape at the end of the season. By using a machine that can simultaneously lift and... more »

Computer glitches fixed; farm workers arrive from Mexico

A few weeks ago, we reported on a labor crisis that was crippling agriculture in Washington state.According to previous reports, H-2A workers were stranded at the American-Mexican border due to computer glitches. It appears that... more »

Buyer beware: Farm labor contracts require scrutiny

Craig Anderson had some pointed advice for asparagus growers who were contemplating the use of farm labor contractors this spring to help fill gaps in their shrinking employment pool."We know a lot of them say,... more »

Visa problems stalling farm workers coming to Washington

According to multiple new organizations, foreign guest workers are getting stuck at the border with visa problems – and the Washington cherry harvest is right around the corner.Here's more from the Yakima Herald: U.S. Rep.... more »

Kingdom Fresh Farms invests in new tomato equipment

In an effort to improve efficiencies to meet increased volumes, Kingdom Fresh Farms has recently installed new tomato sorting equipment.The new machinery will provide not only labor and financial savings, but also increase output, according... more »

Ag safety grants up to $20,000 offered by National Children’s Center

Proposals are now being accepted for mini-grants up to $20,000 to support small-scale projects and pilot studies that address prevention of childhood agricultural disease and injury.The National Children's Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and... more »

Conveyor machine keeps harvest labor costs down

When Jim Abma began growing produce on a large scale a few years ago for his family's 85-year-old farm in Wyckoff, New Jersey, he realized he had a problem.Long-time poultry farmers, Abma Farm had been... more »

Michigan growers study benefits, challenges of hops

Michigan hop producers are poised to make a larger commitment to a market driven by demand from a burgeoning craft beer industry that is willing to seek out locally sourced product.But according to some industry... more »