A federal court in Georgia has temporarily blocked the Department of Labor (DOL) from enforcing a new regulation that would allow H-2A visa farmworkers to unionize. The preliminary injunction, requested …
New Labor Rule Developed in ‘Bad Faith and Should Be Immediately Withdrawn’
The National Council of Agricultural Employers (NCAE) has expressed significant disappointment with the new 600-page regulation from the Department of Labor (DOL). In a scathing response to the rule, Council …
Farm Bureau Highlights ‘Tsunami of New Rules’ from Department of Labor
The Department of Labor (DOL) has issued a final rule aimed at strengthening protections for temporary ag workers by making several changes to the H-2A program. DOL has noted the …
Congressional Effort Seeks to Address H-2A Wage Concerns for U.S. Farmers
A bipartisan group of lawmakers has voiced concern about the increasing H-2A wage and its impact on family farmers. Seventy-five U.S. House of Representatives members penned a letter to the …
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 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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Up to $65 Million to Become Available to Support Farm Employers with H-2A Workers
Funding from the American Rescue Plan is being set aside to provide assistance for farm employers with H-2A workers. Up to $65 million in support will be made available through …
Use of H-2A Program More Than Triples Between 2010 and 2019
The use of the H-2A program has more than tripled over the last decade. According to a report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service, the number of H-2A positions …