Can the H-2A program save U.S. farmers?

Planting season is just getting underway in parts of the United States, and that means farm labor will soon be in high demand.

Nationwide, more than 3,000 H-2A positions were certified in the 2024 fiscal year, which is about 6,000 more than the year before.

The Farm Monitor looks at the future of immigration policies, and how the H-2A program helps keep the ag workforce compliant.

Related Stories
For farm country, that caution can mean higher costs, slower service, and less local investment.
Rural population growth supports long-term stability of the ag workforce.
Texas rancher says illegal border crossings have slowed significantly, with fewer encounters reported over the past year.
Labor supply may shift, but uncertainty remains for producers.
Hiring may ease slightly, but labor shortages remain persistent.
Reduced driver supply may increase freight costs this season.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

USDA and EPA officials aim to maintain America’s robust food supply while ensuring farmers have access to key resources and crop protection tools.
The campaign is about more than just a digital push; NPB leaders hope it will become a rallying point for the entire industry.
The Senate failed to pass a continuing resolution that had been approved by the House the previous week. They could take it up again today, but it would take seven democrats to end the stalemate.
The USDA is working with 14 different states, including Georgia, to develop and implement block grants to address the unique disaster recovery needs for each state.
The decline in production marks the second consecutive year of contraction in the U.S. turkey industry.