California’s 2019 overtime law for ag workers appears to have resulted in reduced weekly working hours and earnings for crop workers over the subsequent two years. The findings are highlighted …
H-2A Usage Continues to Grow Even with High Costs
In fiscal year 2023, H-2A visa usage in the U.S. reached a record high of 378,513 certified positions, marking a two percent increase from the previous year, as revealed in …
New Paid Sick Leave Requirements to Become Effective January 1, 2024
Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed Senate Bill 616 into law, ushering in significant changes to paid sick leave (PSL) requirements. Effective January 1, 2024, this legislation, put forth by state …
A Pilot to Improve Ag Workforce
A new USDA pilot program has grant funding now available for ag employees needing resources to address various farm labor and workforce challenges. Rod Bain has more in today’s This …
New Grant Program Seeks to Address Workforce Challenges
A new pilot program that seeks to bolster the food and ag supply chain and tackle farm workforce challenges has been introduced by the Biden-Harris Administration. The Farm Labor Stabilization …
New H-2A Rules Proposed by Department of Labor
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has introduced a proposal for new H-2A rules intended to improve overall conditions for workers. A notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) has been made …
Ag Labor Expenses Forecast to Increase in 2023
The cost of ag labor is expected to rise. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Total cash labor expenses for the U.S. agriculture sector are forecast to be …
Challenges for House Ag Labor Working Group
Congress is looking into farm labor needs around the nation, but it is a challenging task. The House Agriculture Committee recently announced the creation of the bipartisan Agricultural Labor Working …
Lawmakers Establish Bipartisan Agricultural Labor Working Group
A new Agricultural Labor Working Group has been established to focus on the consistent issues that farmers have been facing with regard to labor. The bipartisan group was announced by …
Farmer/Congressman Supports Dignity Act for Immigrants
As a longtime farmer, John Duarte of California has paid close attention to immigration bills and now as a first-term congressman, he has the opportunity to support one. Congressman Duarte …
USDA to Bring Jobs to Rural Partners Network
The USDA is working to bring more jobs to rural communities. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The Department of Agriculture this week announced an effort to help …
Ag Groups Say Secure the Border Act Falls Short of Necessary Labor Reform
The Secure the Border Act of 2023, H.R. 2, was narrowly passed by the U.S. House of Representatives last week. Several provisions have caught the attention of the agricultural industry, …
AgNet Weekly: Representative John Duarte on his H.R. 2 Vote
H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act, passed in the House this week by a vote of 219 to 213, with all Democrats opposed and all but two Republicans in …
Broad Coalition Forms LIBERTY Campaign, Calling for Immigration Reform
More than 430 business organizations have established a coalition seeking action on immigration reform. The Legal Immigration and Border Enforcement Reform This Year (LEGAL) Campaign has been launched with a …