Industry members are being advised to watch out for misleading paperwork coming in the mail. The California Farm Labor Contractor Association (CFLCA) has been notified that companies have been sending…
Biden Administration Welcomed by Agriculture Industry
…and labor as key areas for improvement. There is optimism within the industry that the new administration will be open to collaboration in working towards agricultural solutions. About the Author…
Almond Update: Pollination Planning as Bloom Approaches Quickly
…will set bees up for success in their orchard. “Bees, unfortunately, have been an increasing cost for almond producers…it’s over 15 percent of the production costs,” Lewis said. “There is a…
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…
NRCS Outlines Conservation Priorities for California
…can receive incentive payments of up to 90 percent of the nationally identified cost. “The 2018 Farm Bill provides for us to work with partners to identify this set of…
Week in Review: HLB Concerns in San Diego and Groups Challenge Emergency COVID Protocols
…judge has blocked the H-2A wage freeze that the Department of Labor announced back in November. Subscribe to the weekly newsletter to receive all of the biggest headlines in agriculture….
Getting Rid of Stubborn Tree Stumps from Your Property
…get rid of a large stump or have multiple stumps to remove, you may need to consider renting a stump grinder. Just know that they can be costly, and weigh…
H-2A Wage Freeze Blocked by Federal Judge Ruling
…determined after 2023. Wage rates were scheduled to be adjusted based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Employment Cost Index. The DOL has been “ordered to operate under the 2010…
Using Ag By-Products in California Dairy Feed Crucial for Sustainability
…The authors note that feed rations account for more than half of the cost of milk production. As dairy production grew over the past 30 years, California’s production of alfalfa…
FAS Ensures Strength of American Ag Exports in A Challenging Year
…“The U.S. agricultural industry and USDA have always taken pride in our ability to provide the world with high-quality, cost-competitive food, feed, fuel and fiber,” Under Secretary for Trade and…
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…
Appropriations Bill Includes Support for Friant-Kern Canal Improvements
…cost to make the Friant-Kern Canal improvements on a 33-mile stretch of the canal is $500 million. Construction on the project is expected to begin in early 2021. Several different…
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…