H-2A Program Growth Renews Labor Reform Conversation

Southeast Regional Ag News
As use of the H-2A guest worker program climbs, proposed legislation aims to modernize rules that have remained largely unchanged for nearly 40 years.

ICE and Ag Labor

Fruit Grower Report
Open border or ICE raids? We’ve tried them both and neither seems to be a practical solution for controlling who comes into our country legally, including those coming here to fill the dire need for an agricultural workforce.

Specialty Crop Fixes

Fruit Grower Report
2026 begins with continuing hopes that specialty crops will see some kind of ag labor reforms and be included in future ag assistance programs.

Immigration Enforcement Survey and One Farmer-One File

The Agribusiness Update
The California Farmer Immigration Enforcement Survey is the first to assess the impact of the mass deportation agenda on California farms, and USDA announced the “One Farmer, One File” modernization plan, designed to put “farmers first” with technological improvements.

Beyond the Raids

California Ag Today
A statewide survey finds that anxiety and instability, even more than direct enforcement, are shaping farm operations.

Foreign-Born Workforce

Idaho Ag Today
The Idaho Farm Bureau Federation hosted a press conference releasing the findings of a new economic impact study.

Ag Labor and Immigration

Fruit Grower Report
The debate over immigration reform and ag labor has some big holes on both sides of the argument.

ICE and Ag Labor

Fruit Grower Report
Open border or ICE raids? We’ve tried them both and neither seems to be a practical solution for controlling who comes into our country legally, including our agricultural workforce.

Immigration and Ag Labor

Fruit Grower Report
Washington Post columnist, Megan McCardle was the keynote speaker at last month’s Washington State Tree Fruit Association Annual Meeting and immigration was a key talking point.

More Financial Aid Urged and SNAP Ruling for More Time

The Agribusiness Update
House Ag Committee says Congress may need to find another $10 billion in aid for specialty crops and others on top of the $12 billion for row crops, and federal judge rules USDA must give states more time to implement new restrictions on SNAP benefits tied to immigration status.

More Financial Aid Urged and SNAP Ruling for More Time

The Agribusiness Update
House Ag Committee says Congress may need to find another $10 billion in aid for specialty crops and others on top of the $12 billion for row crops, and federal judge rules USDA must give states more time to implement new restrictions on SNAP benefits tied to immigration status.

Mass Deportation Results and SNAP-WIC Benefits Ending November 1

The Agribusiness Update
Daniel Hartwig, president of the California Fresh Fruit

Association, says while immigration enforcement was a concern, he's not aware of any crops perishing due to a lack of labor, and millions face losing their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits on November 1.

California Farms Weather Labor Fears

California Ag Today
Most crops were harvested, though immigration raids rattled some farm communities.

H-2A Needs Understanding

Fruit Grower Report
After years of debate, Enrique Gastelum, CEO at the Worker and Farmer Labor Association, says the time has come for a better understanding of the H-2A visa program.

Simpson visit

Idaho Ag Today
Idaho Farm Bureau Federation members recently spent a day and a half interacting and addressing major issues with Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho.

Florida to Ramp Up Enforcement at Agricultural Entry Points

Southeast Regional Ag News
Attorney General James Uthmeier says ag inspection stations will see tighter checks following fatal crash linked to a truck driver in the country illegally.

Apple Outlook 2025 Pt 2

Fruit Grower Report
Washington Apple Commission president, Michael Schadler says what looks to be a pretty productive harvest is quickly creeping up on us.

Apple Outlook 2025 Pt 1

Fruit Grower Report
Washington Apple Commission president, Michael Schadler says what looks to be a pretty productive harvest is quickly creeping up on us.

Winegrapes Without Contract and No Pesticide Crackdown

The Agribusiness Update
Amid a global downturn in wine consumption, an increasing number of California winegrape growers are cultivating their crops without a winery contract this season, and the Trump administration says there won’t be a crackdown on pesticide use in the U.S.

Heat Safety for Georgia Farmers and No Pesticide Crackdown

The Agribusiness Update
When temperatures hit triple digits and the humidity is suffocating, the work doesn't stop for Georgia’s farmers and farmworkers, and the Trump administration says there won’t be a crackdown on pesticide use in the U.S.