labor

Washington farmers have faced ag labor shortages year after year, but according to a new study by the Washington Policy Center the problem has increased in recent years.  The WPC’s Madi Clark over 96% of farms experienced a labor disruption of some kind last year.  And she ...

While for some the 2017 growing season in just getting underway, there are several challenges before the Central Washington Ag Industry.  Gregg Marrs, President of Yakima based Blueline told the Washington Ag Network labor is the chief challenge for the upcoming year.  He...

A House Ag Subcommittee held a hearing on the labor shortage in agriculture and one part of the conversation looked at the possibility of mechanization.   James Field of Frey Farms felt mechanization did have some promise.   “I certainly think that would be a phenomenal research avenue for us. I think, obvio...

A new report on sex and labor trafficking in the United States places agriculture labor in the top 25 industries for human trafficking.  The Typology of Modern Slavery report announced Wednesday breaks down instances of sex and labor trafficking into 25 distinct categories.  ...

Jim Mulhern, President of the National Milk Producers Federation, was in front of a House subcommittee this week testifying on the future of dairy policy.   Part of that conversation focused on labor needs and Mulhern said that many of the programs available are for more seasonal crops.  ...

The Washington State University Chelan-Douglas Extension is hosting a four-week Spanish immersion class beginning Wednesday, June 15.   Ray Faini said they’ve had farmers come through to help communicate with their workers.   “We’ve actually developed a listing of words in Spanish that mostly likely would be used in an agricultural setting and words that a lot of people maybe wouldn’t know.”   Fai