News
MSU researcher receives USDA grant for new SWD biopesticide
A Michigan State University researcher has received a $325,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture to develop a yeast-based biopesticide that targets spotted wing drosophila (SWD), an invasive... more »
Court ruling extends injunction against H-2A worker protections
A federal judge in Kentucky has extended an injunction against a U.S. Department of Labor rule providing protections to H-2A workers who organize to form labor unions. U.S. District Judge Danny Reeves’ ruling extends the... more »
New CEO named at másLabor
másLabor, a leading labor provider and visa services provider, has appointed Chris Ball as CEO. Ball replaces former CEO Edward Silva, who left the organization in June. másLabor provides comprehensive H-2A and H-2B visa services... more »
Policy aide picked for Trump’s Secretary of Agriculture
Brooke Rollins, a former White House aide lawyer with agriculture ties under President-elect Donald Trump, has been tapped to head the U.S. Department of Agriculture. A north-central Texas native, Rollins was domestic policy chief during... more »
Profitable July-September retail potato sales recorded
Potato retail sales recently experienced a profitable period in July to September volume sales, according to a report. Organic fresh potatoes also experienced increased sales and movement. U.S. retail sales volume of potatoes climbed 5.4%... more »
Report: Cost of Thanksgiving dinner declines
Cooking a Thanksgiving feast for friends and family will cost less than last year, but will still be more expensive than before the pandemic. The American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) 39th annual Thanksgiving dinner survey... more »
Georgia growers bracing for 9% AEWR rate increase
Georgia’s grower group is preparing for another expected increase in the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR). On Nov. 20, the Department of Labor announced findings from the latest farm labor survey. According to the data,... more »
USDA aid to help growers recover from natural disasters
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has introduced programs designed to help specialty crop growers recover from natural disasters, including a trio of hurricanes that this fall struck the Southeast. The new programs are also developed... more »
Georgia Hurricane Helene relief program started
The Weathered But Strong: Georgia Hurricane Relief Fund partners have opened applications for growers harmed by Hurricane Helene. The Weathered But Strong fund aims to provide critical financial assistance to those in need, and growers... more »
Farm organization comments on farm bill text release
With the clock ticking on legislative action on the 2024 farm bill, Debbie Stabenow, a Michigan U.S. senator and Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee chairwoman, has released the bill’s text. The Rural Prosperity and Food... more »
