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 …
Farm Operations Support Act Aims to Suspend H-2A Wage Increases
A bipartisan group of lawmakers is working to keep the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) from increasing further in 2023. Senators Jon Ossoff and Thom Tillis have introduced the Farm …
Agricultural Groups Concerned by Latest H-2A Wage Rules
A final rule updating the Adverse Effect Wage Rates for the H-2A program has been published in the Federal Register. The amended H-2A wage rules from the U.S. Department of …
Rural Job Growth Shifting to High-Skill Workers
There’s a shift in rural jobs. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Over the last two decades, the strongest rural job gains were in smaller industries that tend …
UFW Assigns Blame for Lack of Immigration Action
United Farm Workers (UFW) leadership laid the blame for a lack of action in Washington on immigration at the feet of the Republican Party and the American Farm Bureau Federation …
Ag Groups Encouraged by Affordable and Secure Food Act Introduction
Senator Michael Bennet has introduced legislation in the U.S. Senate in an attempt to address farm labor challenges. The Affordable and Secure Food Act seeks to reform the H-2A Temporary …
Workforce Modernization Act Could Save Billions in Labor Costs
The Farm Workforce Modernization Act awaits Senate action during the lame-duck session, and it’s the closest meaningful immigration reform has come to the finish line in years. Research by David …
House Acts to Prevent Rail Strike
The House of Representatives Wednesday took action to avert a pending rail strike. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, on the house floor Wednesday, stated, “A shutdown would grind our economy to …