Labor

American Farm Bureau sets policy agenda at convention

The American Farm Bureau Federation in late January wrapped up its 105th Annual Convention in Salt Lake City by approving policy changes to guide the organization’s legislative and regulatory priorities for the year. California Farm... more »

GFVGA asks for transparency on H-2A wage rates

The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) has filed Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests with the Department of Labor (DOL) regarding wage rates for workers in the H-2A temporary visa program. New hourly... more »

IFPA supports bill to freeze H-2A wage rate

The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) has announced support for the Supporting Farm Operations Act, an immediate measure to address wage relief. The legislation freezes the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR), the wage rate that... more »

2023: The year in review

To specialty crop growers, and farmers in general, 2023’s big news in the industry wasn’t totally unforeseen: lack of labor is still an issue, severe weather damaged crops and technology continues to advance automation in... more »

EFI introduces customized audit approach

A new customizable audit tool released by Equitable Food Initiative (EFI) is designed to alleviate audit fatigue and streamline the certification process. EFI, the capacity-building and certification organization that partners with growers, farmworkers, retailers and... more »

Washington winegrowers group to host Winevit 2024

This year’s iteration of WineVit, a three day conference for winegrape growers, vintners and industry professionals, is scheduled for Feb. 5-7. The Washington Winegrowers Association is announcing the WineVit 2024 Convention and Trade Show. The... more »

U.S. legislators seek halt to H-2A wage hike

Seventy-five members of the U.S. House of Representatives signed a letter to the House and Senate appropriations committees, voicing concerns about the rising wage rate in the H-2A program. The rate, known as the Adverse... more »

Autonomous Burro robot features more power

Burro has launched its most powerful labor-saving autonomous robot, the Burro Grande. Burro Grande is designed to exceed the limits of what a farmworker can do, as a pallet-scale vehicle that can handle a 1,500-pound... more »