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) …
Labor Certainty for Food Security Act Introduced
A new bill aimed at addressing the shortage of agricultural labor was recently introduced in Congress. Vice President of Washington Operations for the National Cotton Council, Reece Langley explained that …
New Joint Employer Liability Guidelines Effective in March
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has recently issued an update to the definition of what constitutes joint employer liability. While the new ‘four-factor balancing test’ updates the regulation officially, …
Ag Groups Urge Action After Adverse Effect Wage Rate Increase
A group of agricultural organizations known collectively as the Agriculture Workforce Coalition (AWC) is calling on Congress to address concerns related to the Adverse Effect Wage Rate. The coalition which …
Wage Increases to Begin on January 1
The latest installment of minimum wage increases is set to take effect beginning on January 1, 2020, marking only one aspect of the wage changes coming for the year. For …
Farm Bureau: Farmers Need Meaningful Ag Labor Reform
(AFBF) — The following statement may be attributed to American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall: “At a time when the farm worker shortage has reached a crisis in parts …
House Passage of Immigration Bill Heartens Farm Bureau
(CFBF) — The vote by the House of Representatives to pass agricultural immigration legislation offers hope to farmers and their employees, according to the California Farm Bureau Federation. CFBF President …