Labor

Funding will assist farm workers hurt by California drought

According to Lesley McClurg, a food and sustainability reporter at Capital Public Radio, new state and federal funding will provide relief for farm workers hurt by the California drought.Here are the specifics: An estimated 18,000... more »

Jolene Brown to keynote farm marketing program at 2015 Great Lakes EXPO

Jolene Brown will make the keynote presentation for the farm marketing program at the 2015 Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market EXPO, to be held Dec. 8-10 in Grand Rapids, Michigan.Brown is a farmer,... more »

Rules govern union access to farms for ‘heat sweeps’

The United Farm Workers labor union has recently engaged in a flurry of activity. UFW public communications call these actions "heat sweeps during harvest," meaning they may continue throughout the summer and fall. Key to... more »

Sakata Seed develops Infinite Gold melon

Sakata Seed America unveiled a new variety of cantaloupe called Infinite Gold. Bred through traditional breeding practices, Infinite Gold LSL (Long Shelf Life) melon offers long shelf life, high-yield potential and infinite flavor, according to... more »

BREAKING: Washington court rules on farm labor piece-rate pay

On Thursday, the Supreme Court for the state of Washington ruled that farm workers who are paid a piece rate must also be compensated for rest breaks.The court made the decision unanimously.What does this mean... more »

Food safety posters developed for pick-your-own farms

Keeping food safety on the minds of direct-market farm customers – as well as workers – can often be a simple matter of communication.North Carolina State University's (NCSU) Plants for Human Health Institute recently published... more »

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 »

Current Issue

VGN April Cover

Tech allows growers to ‘eavesdrop’ on insects

Managing wildlife on the farm

Southwest Florida’s Worden Farm manages challenges

Pennsylvania Vegetable Growers Association says farewell to leader

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Veg Connections: Biopesticides and beneficial insects

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60 years of advocating for agricultural employers

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