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 …
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 …
AgNet Weekly: Representative Doug LaMalfa on Farm 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 …
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, …
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 …
Webinar Explaining Details of AB 2188 Being Hosted Tomorrow
Recently signed legislation has made changes to how employers can conduct various types of drug testing. The Farm Employers Labor Service (FELS) is hosting a free webinar titled “How Do …
Ag Industry Disappointed by Newsom’s Signing of Card Check Legislation
Despite opposition from agriculture and business groups, Governor Gavin Newsom has signed the card check legislation AB 2183. Proponents of the bill such as the United Farm Workers (UFW) have …
Industry Engagement Sought for Farm Labor Stabilization Grant Program
Industry members are being encouraged to participate in the development process of a new farm labor stabilization and protection pilot grant program. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking …
Farm Workforce Modernization Act: ‘No One Can Afford to Wait Any Longer’
Agricultural groups are continuing to encourage the U.S. Senate to act on the Farm Workforce Modernization Act. The legislation passed through the U.S. House of Representatives back in March of …
Innovation to Have Broader Impact on Ag Labor Than Immigration Policy
Changes in immigration policy may not bring about as much of a positive impact on ag labor as hoped. Farming operations have historically relied heavily on a migrant workforce to …