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.

Diversity in Agriculture

Fruit Grower Report
When you think of a farmer, what vision comes to mind? Male? Older? Rough looking? But farming today is much more diverse than it used to be.

A New Roadmap for Understanding H5N1

California Ag Today
Researchers compile what science knows and where future work is needed.

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.

Honoring the Hands That Feed Us

California Ag Today
Farmworkers Day becomes California’s newest holiday after unanimous approval.

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.

Farm Labor Legislation

Washington State Farm Bureau Report
Congress could soon be considering not just a new farm bill, but farm labor legislation.

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.

Winter Weather, Migratory Birds Linked to HPAI Uptick

Southeast Regional Ag News
Georgia officials respond to a new case at a Hart County poultry operation.

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.

Aphid research

Idaho Ag Today
E. Idaho seed potato growers track aphid migrations with help of UI Extension pest trapping program

California Launches New CalWATRS Water Rights System

California Ag Today
The State Water Board’s new CalWATRS platform replaces eWRIMS and streamlines how Californians manage and report their water rights.

California Farms Weather Labor Fears

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