The Farm Workforce Modernization Act has been approved by the U.S. House of Representatives through a vote of 247-174. Advocates of the bill are hopeful that the Senate will begin …
Vaccinating the CA Farm Labor Population Has Been ‘Hit or Miss’
Under California’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan, the state has opened up Phase 1B. Individuals 65 and older, as well as three sector populations including education and childcare, emergency services, and …
Farm Workforce Modernization Act Reintroduced with Ag Support
The Farm Workforce Modernization Act has been reintroduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. Representatives Zoe Lofgren and Dan Newhouse introduced the legislation that is designed to reform the H-2A …
New AEWR from Department of Labor Brings California Up To $16.05
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has finally revealed what the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) will be for 2021. Employers of H-2A workers will now know what wage expectations …
Coachella Becomes First to Implement ‘Hero Pay’ Increase for Farmworkers
The Coachella City Council has voted to become the first in the nation to offer something called “hero pay” to farmworkers and other essential employees. The unanimous vote now requires …
Farm Mechanization Key to Addressing Labor Issues Moving Forward
With labor a constant concern for California producers, farm mechanization research and investment present a viable mitigation approach. Mechanized farming equipment cannot address all the issues related to the continually …
Farmworker COVID Safety Project Launched Through UC Davis
The University of California, Davis, have launched a farmworker COVID safety project with a multitude of partners. Funded by a $3 million contract, the COVID-19 Statewide Agriculture and Farmworker Education …
DOL Issues Final Rule for H-2A Certification Program
A final rule was recently issued that will update the H-2A certification program. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced the amendments on January 15. The announcement comes after extensive …
H-2A Wage Freeze Blocked by Federal Judge Ruling
A federal judge has blocked the H-2A wage freeze that the Department of Labor (DOL) announced back in November. The DOL decision would have kept H-2A wages at 2020 rates …
Federal Judge Rejects USDA Changes to H-2A Program
An update to the H-2A program has been put on hold by a California federal court. The Department of Labor’s decision to freeze farm workers’ wages for those using the …
California Citrus Mutual Encourages Participation in H-2A Survey
California Citrus Mutual (CCM) is encouraging industry participation in their brief labor survey. The data that is collected through the survey will be used in advocacy efforts on the state …
New Report Details Findings of Ag Labor Investigations
A new report from the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) provides in-depth analysis of ag labor investigations over the past twenty years. The Federal Labor Standards Enforcement in Agriculture report notes …
Farmworker Groups Sue Over DOL Decision Regarding Wage Rates
Farmworker groups are taking legal action against the recent decision not to increase H-2A wage rates. The United Farm Workers (UFW) and the UFW Foundation are suing the Department of …
Agriculture Labor Keeping Leaders Engaged During Administration Transition
A change in the White House is not a ‘wait and see’ situation for agricultural groups looking at agricultural labor. The transition period is ramping up as the Biden-Harris administration prepares for …