COVID-19
Appeal of ruling over Michigan farmworker testing pursued
An Aug. 21 ruling by U.S. District Judge Paul Maloney of the Western District of Michigan denying a request from farmworkers and their employers for an injunction against Michigan Department of Health and Human Services... more »
Baseline testing of Michigan workers has Aug. 24 deadline
The Michigan departments of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and Agriculture and Rural Development are reminding employers that the Public Health Order mandating baseline testing for agricultural and food processing workers has a deadline of... more »
Free legal assistance for Florida farmworkers available through hotline
Farmworkers across the state can now call a toll-free number, 1-844-44FARMWORKERS (OR 1-844-443-2769) to get free legal assistance with issues on the rise because of the COVID-19 crisis. Florida Rural Legal Services (FRLS), a non-profit law firm,... more »
US will continue farm workers’ visa extensions amid virus
An action to be placed in the Federal Register on Aug. 20 allows foreign farm workers to extend their H-2A temporary work visas to immediately begin work with new employers in an effort to protect... more »
Farms, processors COVID-19 safety efforts backed by Michigan funds
Applications for grant funds are still available through the Michigan Economic Development Corp.'s Michigan Agricultural Safety Grant and the MEDC Small Farm Safety Grant programs for farmers and agricultural processors throughout the state. In tandem,... more »
Fresh produce sales rise 9.5% over year ago during week ending Aug. 9
The second full week of August was the fifth of eight non-holiday weeks between Independence Day and Labor Day, in which everyday demand alone had to drive the sales performance. Consumer concern over the COVID-19... more »
Court denies temporary restraining order on testing of Michigan ag, food employees
After the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan denied a temporary restraining order in a lawsuit challenging Michigan’s order requiring the testing of farm and food processing employees for COVID-19, the Director... more »
Efforts to protect farmworkers welcomed by NY Farm Bureau
New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced Aug. 14 a series of new initiatives related to COVID-19 testing that will improve New York State's ability to detect and control the virus in communities across the... more »
Seminar offerings paused by LEAD New York program
In response to the COVID-19 health crisis, LEAD New York has decided to pause the start of seminars for the 2020–2021 year. Executive director Larry Van De Valk and the advisory board made the decision... more »
Michigan farmworkers file legal challenge to state’s mandatory COVID-19 testing
Citing racial discrimination, farmworkers filed a complaint Aug. 11 in United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, challenging an Aug. 3 Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) emergency order mandating... more »
