(AFBF) — The federal government’s announcement of plans to expand and expedite the deportation of undocumented workers prompted a forceful call for guest-worker reforms by AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “We…
The Western View: Storming Area 51? Bad Idea
…written for agricultural publications since the 1980s. He was a regular contributor to California Farmer Magazine. His commentary “The Western View” is a regular feature on Farm City Newsday and…
CAWG Foundation Awards Student Scholarships
…Recipients Maricarmen Frias Prieto, Salinas, Everett Alvarez High School Maricarmen’s family includes generations of farmworkers, and she has seen the struggles of this life and in her community. There have…
USDA Awards Agricultural Trade Promotion Funding
Washington, D.C. (USDA) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded $100 million to 48 organizations through the Agricultural Trade…
New Smoke Exposure Regulation Arriving at Height of Fire Season
…have to ensure that they can get their workers indoors,” said AgSafe President and CEO Amy Wolfe. “If that’s not feasible, they have to make available for voluntary use, respirators…
CBB Executives Detail Recent Beef Leadership Trip to Taiwan and Japan
…market status of U.S. agricultural products in that country. The group also visited retail stores to view U.S. beef products on display and learn how they’re marketed to Japanese consumers….
Significant Increase in Prune Production Forecast
Based on a survey of dried plum growers conducted by the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, the 2019 crop forecast is calling for a significant increase in tonnage from last…
Perdue Observes Challenges Facing California Avocados First-Hand
…earlier in the day. The H-2A update is being touted as a means to streamline the program, improving access to reliable agricultural labor and addressing excessive burdens for farmers. “We…
DOL Moves to Make H-2A User-Friendly
…Natalie Gupton said the most significant change in the proposal to note is a staggering application for workers. “Currently if you need 50 workers, you apply for 50 workers. As the…
Agricultural Co-Op Consolidation Continues
A new report from CoBank that was recently released shows that co-op consolidation has been increasing over the past decade, following the trend of consolidation in the overall agricultural industry….
Proposed Changes to Agricultural Visa Program Show Promise
…the current H-2A agricultural visa program could be one element of a solution, while Congress continues to work on broader legislation. The U.S. Department of Labor announced plans to modernize…
Funding to Support Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers
…30 years, the 2501 Program has helped reach socially disadvantaged agricultural producers – farmers and ranchers who have experienced barriers to service due to racial or ethnic prejudice. The 2014…
Pork Industry Battling Challenges From Trade to Labor Shortage
…for strengthened biosecurity at our borders and is requesting appropriations funding for 600 additional U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agricultural Inspectors at our borders. In his testimony, Herring also highlighted…
Pima Preference in California Cotton Acreage Increase
The latest numbers show an increase to overall planted acreage for California cotton this year, according to the 2019 planted acreage report from USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Overall…