NCAE Petitions Acting Labor Secretary to Change Wage Methodology

Clint ThompsonLabor

(Arlington, VA) – Adverse effect wage rates (AEWR) continue to skyrocket in the H-2A program. The National Council of Agricultural Employers (NCAE) is attempting to persuade regulators to modify the current formula that determines AEWR. The NCAE petitioned Acting Department of Labor Secretary Julie Su this week to amend the regulatory methodology for determining adverse effect wage rates in the …

Immigration Reform Needed for Future of Farming

Clint ThompsonLabor

By Clint Thompson Immigration reform would go a long way in helping specialty crop producers secure an adequate and reliable workforce for the future. But too many sides with too many opinions have kept this important step from becoming a reality. Bob Redding, who works for the Redding Firm and serves as a lobbyist for agricultural groups in Washington, D.C., …

California’s H-2A Ranking a Plus for Southeast?

Clint ThompsonLabor

By Clint Thompson California’s surge up the states leaderboard pertaining to H-2A workers is a plus for Southeast specialty crop producers, according to one industry leader. Chris Butts, executive vice president of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA), believes it will help enlighten legislative leaders about the challenges associated with navigating through a complicated and expensive program. “I …

Believe it or Not: Specialty Crop Producers Would Like to Avoid H-2A Program

Clint ThompsonLabor

By Clint Thompson Specialty crop producers would like nothing more than to hire domestic labor and scrap the expensive and cumbersome H-2A program altogether. But growers are not afforded that option. American workers are dodging work in agriculture, leaving fruit and vegetable work to a seasonal workforce that largely only exists overseas. Certain factions of the nation’s leadership are oblivious …

AEWR Increases for Southeast Region

Clint ThompsonLabor

Florida’s new Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) for 2024 is expected to increase by 3% from $14.33 to $14.77, according to results from the most recent Farm Labor Survey that was released last week. As part of the Southeast that includes Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina, Georgia expects a 7% rise in its AEWR, increasing from $13.67 to $14.66. Georgia’s …

Stringent H-2A Program Regulations Put Pressure on Producers to Stay Compliant

Clint ThompsonLabor

By Clint Thompson Domestic labor is all but a non-existent option for specialty crop producers. Industry leaders want congressional leaders to understand that reality and the added importance of the H-2A program. Michael Marsh, president and chief executive officer of the National Council of Agricultural Employers, spoke about the current labor crisis at the Georgia Agricultural Labor Relations Forum last …

Ag Workforce Solutions Remain Elusive

Web AdminAgri-business, Labor

By Frank Giles Southeastern specialty crop growers have been seeking reform in farm labor policy for many years. Because of its nexus with immigration policy, meaningful solutions have been hard to come by. Proposals have been put forth, but partisan politics see those efforts stall. That has forced many growers to utilize the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) H-2A visa …

Wage Rate

GFVGA Advises Growers to Carefully Consider FLSP Program

Web AdminLabor, USDA

By Clint Thompson The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) cautions its specialty crop producers about participating in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Labor Stabilization and Protection Pilot Program (FLSP Program). The GFVGA wants growers to carefully consider what is required of their farming operations to participate in the grant program that will use up to $65 million …

FFVA Convention Tackles Agricultural Labor Issues 

Web AdminAgribusiness, Labor

By Frank Giles The latest buzz word in agriculture is resilience. That sentiment was evident at the 2023 Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) convention in September. More than 500 attendees gathered in Naples to take care of association business, learn about key issues and enjoy time with industry peers. Despite plenty of challenges, growers were in good spirits during …

GFVGA Leader: Information is Key When Managing Labor-Related Issues

Web AdminAgri-business, Georgia, Labor

By Clint Thompson The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) wants to help its specialty crop farmers stay compliant with H-2A and other federal regulations. The Georgia Ag Labor Relations Forum is designed to provide producers all the information they need to remain on the right side of compliance. The annual two-day event, scheduled for Nov. 14-15 at the …