Federal officials to speak at NCAE’s Ag Labor Forum

Leaders of two federal agencies that affect growers’ labor needs are scheduled to speak at the National Council of Agricultural Employers’ (NCAE) 2025 Ag Employer Labor Forum. 

U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer and USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden have confirmed their participation in the forum scheduled for Dec. 3-5 at the M Resort outside Las Vegas, Nevada.

This Forum offers a diversity of ag labor leaders and legal experts to unpack the complex regulatory and legislative web in which agricultural employers find themselves. The first day’s sessions are to show attendees what’s next for ag employers and how to effectively fight for a brighter future, according to a news release. 

The “Canaries in the Coal Mine” session, moderated by Ryan Ayres, director of human resources for FirstFruits Farms, features agricultural leaders discussing challenges ag employers are experiencing at the hands of out-of-control state governments. 

Joel Anderson, NCAE executive committee chair and owner of Anderson Immigration Law, is to host the fireside chat “Going on Offense” with Kimberly Hermann, president of Southeastern Legal Foundation, to map out a proactive litigation strategy for farmers and ranchers.

NCAE’s marquee session, “Eye of the Storm,” on the second day, will examine DOL’s recently announced Interim Final Rule (IFR). A panel featuring the following speakers offers national expertise and insights:

• Samantha Ayoub, American Farm Bureau Federation
• Jamie Fussell, Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA)
• Alexandra E. Hill, University of California, Berkeley
• Chris Schulte, Fisher Phillps
• Phil Martin, University of California, Davis
• Shawn Packer, JPH Law

The session will dissect the impact of DOL’s Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) and its Interim Final Rule (IFR) regulation and provide their thoughts about what the future holds for the IFR and American agriculture. Published in October, the IFR modifies the methodology used to calculate the AEWR. DOL estimated the new methodology will save American farmers and ranchers $2.46 billion and $17.29 billion over 10 years.

“We are incredibly proud that the regulatory community understands how critical it is to have their participation at this event,” Michael Marsh, NCAE’s president and CEO, said in the release. “America’s farmers and ranchers deserve an engaged community of regulators and policy makers, and we are thrilled to provide this opportunity to our Labor Forum attendees so they can do just that.”