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(UPDATED, 11:38 a.m.)Taking a step to deliver on a 2018 promise, a proposed rule from the Trump administration seeks to update the way wage rates are determined for the H-2A agricultural guest worker program.

Growers and industry leaders are praising the Trump administration’s plan to overhaul the H-2A guest worker program, changing the way wages are determined and streamlining other parts.

UPDATED: The U.S. and Guatemala are pursuing a program to boost H-2A workers from that country, in an effort to stem what the Department of Homeland Security calls irregular migration patterns.

NEW YORK — Some of the state’s fresh produce industry leaders say the proposed New York Farm Laborer Fair Labor Practices Act will hurt the agricultural industry, but they are relieved for a bit of compromise.

Tom Nassif, president and CEO of Western Growers since 2002, has been named the recipient of the organization’s 2019 Award of Honor.

A roundtable for responsible recruitment of farmworkers and packers will feature speakers representing Walmart, Castellini Group, Lipman Family Farms and Titan Farms.

Dave Puglia is succeeding Tom Nassif, who is retiring after 18 years as the president and CEO of Western Growers.

Both wages and the number of farm labor workers are up compared with a year ago.

(UPDATED, Nov. 21) Bipartisan farmworker immigration legislation has cleared its first hurdle, passing by voice vote in the House Judiciary Committee Nov. 20.

The National Potato Council will host a press conference at the U.S. Capitol on Feb 26 to urge the U.S. Senate to take up legislation to solve the agricultural labor crisis.