ag workers

What changes to the H-2A program would the tree fruit industry like to see? We put that question before Jon DeVaney of the Washington State Tree Fruit Association.

Finding enough labor is a key concern for U.S. agriculture, especially in the fruit and vegetable sector.

Last week, Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley and Representative Maxine Dexter introduced the Farmworker Smoke and Excessive Heat Protection Act.

White House border czar Tom Homan said last week that the Trump administration is considering possible changes to its immigration enforcement policy.

Oregon law requires employers to protect workers from the summer heat. Aaron Corvin, with Oregon OSHA, said the rules start at 80 degrees and increase at 90 degrees.

President Trump, citing pressure from the agriculture and hospitality sectors, recently said farmworkers who are in the country illegally shouldn’t be deported and reiterated that the administration would be taking action on the issue.  ...

Just because Bird Flu hasn’t been in the headlines recently, doesn’t mean the virus is no longer a concern for the Northwest farming community.  And one of the more recent concerns for the health community is farm workers that have come down with HPAI, both at dairy and chicken farms.  Washington state Ve...

Often when farm labor shortages are discussed fruits and vegetables are some of the first commodities that come to mind.  But, the livestock sector is quick to point out they need workers as well, and they don’t have the benefit of the H-2A program.   “If we...

Just because new cases have not been reported, does not mean the threat of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza has gone away.  Those words from Washington state Veterinarian Dr. Amber Itle who said the opportunity for exposure to bird flu will increase in the coming weeks as more and more migrating waterfowl cross the Northwest.   ...

“This bill is kind of a marker, it starts the discussion and I'm hoping that we can make some needed updates to it before final passage,” said Representative Dan Newhouse, after he and California’s Zoe Lofgren reintroduced the Farm Workforce Modernization Act on Wednesday.  He said  reintroducing th...