The AgSafe digital conference INNOVATE will begin on February 15 and run through February 25. The inaugural virtual event opens with a state of the industry and commencement of the …
New Multifaceted Farmworker Safety Campaign Launched
The California Farmworker Foundation (CFF) has launched a new farmworker safety campaign to help workers and their families stay safe through the pandemic. The campaign, La Seguridad Empieza con Usted, …
Farmworker Housing Construction Gets Easier in San Luis Obispo
The construction of farmworker housing should be a bit simpler in San Luis Obispo (SLO) County after a series of actions by the SLO County Board of Supervisors. The country …
Farm Bureau: Farmers Need Meaningful Ag Labor Reform
(AFBF) — The following statement may be attributed to American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall: “At a time when the farm worker shortage has reached a crisis in parts …
Farm Bureau Calls for Improvements to Ag Labor Bill
(AFBF) — The following statement may be attributed to American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall: “Legislation advanced by the House Judiciary Committee falls short of a long-term solution to …
New Lighting Requirements for Agriculture Arriving by Next Harvest
The Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) is moving quickly on implementing lighting requirements for agricultural operations working at night. The concept for updating nighttime regulations for lighting dates …
Addressing the Agricultural Impact of AB 5
California employers are preparing to navigate the requirements of AB-5 and how it will affect the use of independent contractors. Several industry groups including agriculture are working to advocate for …
Perdue Comments on Administrative Actions to Streamline H-2A Process
(Washington, D.C. (USDA-Sept. 20, 2019) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue issued the following statement highlighting actions announced by the Department of Labor (DOL) which will modernize the burdensome H2A …
Input Needed for Forthcoming H-2A Cost Estimator Tool
A partnership between AgSafe and UnitedAg is allowing for the development of an H-2A cost estimator tool that can assist with decision making when it comes to the H-2A program. …
Potential Reasons for Slow Down in Overall H-2A Needs
U.S. farmers and ranchers rely on hired help to keep up with each growing season. Data from the U.S. Department of Labor accounted for a 29 percent increase in the …
Perdue Statement on Meeting with Guatemalan Ministers
Washington, D.C. (USDA) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue met with a host of Ministers from Guatemala to discuss implementation of the recently signed agreement between the United States …
Wool Industry Adversely Affected by AB 1066 Overtime Rules
Amendments that were made to AB 1066 are causing significant concern for California’s sheep industry. In 2001, the Industrial Welfare Commission exempted sheepherders from overtime and hourly wage regulations due …
Secretary Perdue on Labor Agreement with Guatemala
Washington, D.C. (USDA) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue applauded the Department of Labor and Guatemala on the signing of an agreement to improve H-2A visa program operations. Secretary …
Mitigate Liability Risk by Vetting Your Farm Labor Contractor
Working with a farm labor contractor to supply the necessary workforce on a farming operation does not eliminate the liability risk for the grower in the event of an accident. …