Labor Department

Last week, the Labor Department reported year-over-year inflation of 8.5%, levels not seen since 1981.  At the same time, the latest Feeding America food bank pulse survey data shows that more food banks report seeing demand for food assistance increase or stay the same for February compared to the previous month. Fo ...

A federal court in California issued a preliminary injunction against the Labor Department’s decision to freeze farm workers’ wages for those that use the H-2A Program. Fruit and Nut Grower News said the freeze would effectively lower the wages of several hundred thousand guest farm workers employed in the United States. A prelimi ...

On Monday, the Labor Department issued a final rule that updates the methodology for determining the annual Adverse Effect Wage Rates in the H-2A visa program. The Trump administration claims the new rule improves the consistency of the wage rates, provides stronger protections for workers, and establishes better stability and predictability for employers ...

New data shows that 2019 growth in the H-2A program is slowing.  According to the Labor Department, the number of on the farm position requests increased just 2% this year, compared to a 29% increase in 2018.  American Farm Bureau Federation Economist Veronica Nigh said there are two potential causes for this drop.   “...

Last week, the Labor Department officially proposed to streamline the H2-A program.  The American Farm Bureau Federation is evaluating the nearly 500-page proposal and will provide input on behalf of farmers.  Allison Crittenden, AFBF congressional relations director, said farmers and ranchers need a better guest worker program.   “...

A new apprentice program by John Deere gives Ag equipment dealers more options to address the shortage of service technicians. Deere announced this week it has received approval from the U.S. Labor Department for its new Registered Apprenticeship Program...

Nine month ago, many farmers were worried as the Trump Administration looked to crack down on those in the country illegally.   That move by the federal government made many wonder if they would have the needed labor force to harvest their crops, as many migrant workers were going into a modified form of hiding.  Ag...