California farmers and ranchers report that labor shortages continue to be an issue despite multiple efforts to help remedy the problem. The California Farm Bureau Federation (CFBF) worked with the …
Make the Border Wall an Asset not a Liability
Back when I was growing up in a small town on the Rio Grande, the border with Mexico was just a line in the sand – sometimes a barb wire …
USDA Launches New Farmers.gov Features to Help with H2A Applications, Managing Loans
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) launched two new features on farmers.gov to help customers manage their farm loans and navigate the application process for …
AFBF Concerned about Labor, Trade if Border Closed
The American Farm Bureau Federation is urging the administration to make sure that any steps undertaken to tighten enforcement at the U.S. border do not create more uncertainty for agricultural …
Blue Card Bill ‘A Step In A Direction’
The proposed Agricultural Worker Program Act will not fix agricultural labor issues in California, but it is a sign of progress. H.R. 641, also known as the ‘Blue Card’ bill, …
Employers Expected to Cooperate with ICE
Assembly Bill 450 originally restricted an employer’s ability to interact with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). An employer was required to demand a warrant or subpoena before providing any kind …
Nighttime Labor Regulation Language to Be Reviewed in April
Late last year AgNet West reported that new nighttime labor regulation talks that had been going on for several years were quietly moving forward and could be finalized early this …
Further Confusion Surrounding Sick Leave Time
The amount of sick-leave time that needs to be provided by employers with 26 or more employees has been reduced to 28.5 hours, coinciding with the updated workday requirements being …
Leave Time Clarification for Ag Employers
The recent changes in overtime rules created a bit of a discrepancy in paid sick-leave requirements, leaving many ag employers confused about what is expected from them. AgSafe President and …
Participation Encouraged for the 2019 Labor Survey
California farmers and ranchers are being asked to participate in the 2019 labor survey to establish an accurate baseline of the state’s labor needs. The Farm Employers Labor Service and …
California Lawmakers Introduce New Immigration Legislation for Ag Workers
Three Democratic lawmakers from California have just presented new immigration legislation that would create an opportunity for undocumented agricultural workers to apply for legal status. Senator Dianne Feinstein, Congressman Jimmy …
Navigating the H-2A Guest Worker Program
U.S. farmers and ranchers discussed the current state of regulations governing the farm labor market and efforts to navigate it, at a workshop during the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 100th …
Producers Getting Onboard with H-2A Labor Before the Rush
Jackson Family Wines has been using H-2A labor to supplement their needs over the last few years, and Vineyard Manager Bart Haycraft said the merging of the two labor pools …
AFBF Hopes to Maintain Advertising Requirements for Farm Labor Positions
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) recently proposed changes to the advertising requirements for farm labor positions. The current rule requires employers to advertise available positions in local print newspapers …