Search - The Packer

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.

Apple growers from across the country participated in the U.S. Apple Association’s Capitol Hill Day, meeting with more than 100 legislative offices on trade, labor and farm bill issues.

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.

The first session of Stronger Together U.S.’s responsible recruitment webinar series explores how to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic.

More than 60 specialty crop organizations sent a letter to Congressional leaders highlighting efforts by growers and other agricultural employers to protect their labor force during the COVID-19 pandemic.