The California Farmworker Foundation (CFF) has launched a new farmworker safety campaign to help workers and their families stay safe through the pandemic. The campaign, La Seguridad Empieza con Usted, …
How to Avoid COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave Penalties
It is important for employers to fully understand what is required under the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act (EPSLA) provisions of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). A farming …
Farmworker Housing Construction Gets Easier in San Luis Obispo
The construction of farmworker housing should be a bit simpler in San Luis Obispo (SLO) County after a series of actions by the SLO County Board of Supervisors. The country …
COVID-19 Safety Measures Complicate Heat Illness Prevention
The safety protocols implemented as a means of combating the spread of COVID-19 will complicate the plans for heat illness prevention. The requirement for wearing face-coverings while working will make …
Heat Illness Prevention Critical During First Triple-Digit Heatwave
With the first heatwave of the season coming to California, heat illness prevention becomes a critical aspect for farming operations to consider. Tulare County Farm Bureau Executive Director Tricia Stever …
Newsom Moves Forward with Workers’ Compensation Order
Governor Gavin Newsom has moved forward with making significant changes to the workers’ compensation system in California. On May 6 Governor Newsom signed an Executive Order to expand the scope …
Newsom Considers Passing Pandemic Cost onto Employers Through Workers’ Compensation
Governor Gavin Newsom is considering an executive order that could significantly increase the cost of workers’ compensation insurance during the COVID-19 pandemic. The order would substantially expand the criteria of …
San Luis Obispo Addresses Farmworker Housing Locally
Agricultural industry members in San Luis Obispo County have been working with local county officials to address farmworker housing concerns. Executive Director of the San Luis Obispo County Farm Bureau, …
California Prune Board Keeping Industry Informed and Safe During Pandemic
The California Prune Board is working to keep industry members up to date with the latest information regarding COVID-19 and ensure the safety of everybody on the farm. An emphasis …
Increased H-2A Flexibility to Ensure Food Production Continues
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has made an announcement to allow more H-2A flexibility, with the support of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The temporary final rule will …
Lawmakers Propose “California Farmworker COVID-19 Relief Package”
California Assemblymember Robert Rivas introduced a bill that will aid farmworkers during the COVID-19 pandemic titled “California Farmworker COVID-19 Relief Package.” Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia who is partnering with Rivas on …
State Department Addresses H-2A Issue with Interview Waivers
The U.S. State Department has addressed the H-2A issue that was created when the U.S. suspended routine immigrant and nonimmigrant visa processing services in Mexico in response to the COVID-19 …
Efforts Underway to Address Labor Concerns During COVID-19 Pandemic
As COVID-19 concerns continue, efforts are underway to ensure that agricultural operations have enough workers available to address farming needs. Several agricultural groups have expressed a need to ensure that …
USDA and DOL Announce Information Sharing to Assist H-2A Employers
(Washington, D.C., March 19, 2020) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced a partnership between the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) …