The California Farm Bureau is weighing in on deportation efforts, which it says are causing unease among the ag workforce surrounding labor stability.
Despite those reports, the group admits it has not heard of any widespread disruption so far. The California Farm Bureau says that it stands with ag workers and farmers and will advocate for practical and compassionate solutions.
They have outlined three priorities for workforce reform moving forward:
- Modernizing the H-2A program and making it more flexible to producers’ needs
- Providing legal status to current ag workers
- Crafting immigration policies that reflect the needs of a stable ag workforce
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The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) estimates that the move will save farmers and ranchers $2.5 billion each year. The group warns that new methods for calculating the adverse-effect wage rate would result in lower pay for foreign workers.
Farmers who rely on H-2A workers will see a few key changes to speed up the process and make it fairer. On the ground, producers say labor issues create shortfalls in otherwise productive harvests.
Todd Miller, CEO of Head Honchos, shares about his business offering to ease agricultural labor shortages.
AFBF Associate Economist Samantha Ayoub joins us to dive into H-2A visa program changes and what can be done to ease the pressure on producers.
In a final rule published in the Federal Register, the Department states that it will no longer base wage rates on the Farm Labor Survey.
Farmers should anticipate continued upward pressure on farm labor costs and monitor policy changes that may further impact hiring decisions.