farm workers

Last week, WAFLA announced it is working with Stanford University to research the economic and social outcomes for farmworkers who migrate from Mexico.  In this pilot project, Stanford researchers will speak with and compare the experiences of farmworkers who remain in Mexico and those who participate in the H-2A program via WAFLA.  Scott D...

According to ERS, American farmers who want to hire temporary foreign workers through the H-2A visa program usually work with a third party.  The new data announced this week indicated the third parties, such as agents, associations or a lawyer, are used to make the applications.  Employe...

On Monday, USDA’s Economic Research Service reported data that shows the H-2A seasonal worker program has expanded over time.   U.S. agricultural employers who anticipate a shortage of U.S. domestic workers can fill seasonal farm jobs with temporary foreign workers through the H-2A visa program.  The Depa...

Time may be running short, but Dan Newhouse remains optimistic that the Senate will address ag labor needs via his Farm Workforce Modernization Act.  The legislation which already cleared the House, has stalled in the Senate.  And while the window for the 117th Congress is starting to close, the Chair of the Western Caucus believes lawmakers can act in the coming months.    “We have ...

Earlier this month, Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson filed a civil rights lawsuit against Sunnyside-based Ostrom Mushroom Farm, claiming discrimination against female workers.  Ferguson claimed that Ostrom fired 79% of their female pickers, replacing them with H2-A male pickers.  The AG’...

Dan Newhouse says he's frustrated over the lack of movement on the Farm Workforce Modernization Act.  The legislation cleared the House of Representatives in March 2021 and since then has been in a holding pattern in the Senate.  The central Washington Republican said time is running out. "Ther...

Last week, the Department of Agriculture announced more than $14 billion in agricultural workforce training for underserved communities.  USDA said the funding will increase the resilience of the U.S. meat and poultry processing sector.  Th...

Sam Tannahill talks about his concerns now that Oregon requires overtime pay for farm workers.   If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail gvaagen@cherrycreekmedia.com

Last week, Republican leaders from the Agriculture and Budget Committees introduced the Reducing Farm Input Costs and Barriers to Production Act.  Dan Newhouse, chair of the Western Caucus, said the legislation would protect and promote American agriculture by reversing the Biden Administration’s regulatory barriers to domestic production, while providing immediate relief to farmers and families a

It's not enough to provide loans and grants to support local farmers, or to build or improve local food processing facilities. "There's also the people that are needed to be trained and experienced to do the work." Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said one of the biggest problems farmers and food processing companies have is a shortage of workers, and so, "we're going to make $40 m