Labor
The produce industry is grappling with a critical labor shortage and the escalating costs of the H-2A program, which are squeezing margins for growers, packers and shippers. Increasing regulatory pressures, such as new state-level overtime laws and wage mandates, are further driving the sector toward automation and legislative advocacy. This collection of insights explores how to optimize labor management and maintain operational efficiency in an increasingly complex landscape.
The Orange County Register has awarded UnitedAg the Top Workplaces 2025 honor, making this the second consecutive year.
H-2A overhaul brings much-needed visa streamlining and AEWR relief, while court battles and implementation questions remain.
The lawsuit seeks to reverse the October interim final rule released by the Department of Justice, which would use state-level data to calculate the Adverse Effect Wage Rate for the H-2A guestworker program.
The pair will co-chair the coalition, succeeding Chuck Conner, to continue to work on U.S. agriculture’s farmworker issues.
As growers look to technology to augment labor needs, those working in the ag tech space say there will be an even greater relationship between workers and technology.
The National Council of Agricultural Employers, the International Fresh Produce Assocation and the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association expressed gratitude that the Office of Foreign Labor Certification will resume processing H-2A foreign guestworker visas.
The 2026 Leadership Circle Celebration recognized 34 supplier companies that have earned all five stars in the online Ethical Charter Implementation Program’s Learn, Assess, Benchmark platform.
The newly formed “Grow it Here” seeks to educate policymakers and the public on the dire need for short-term and long-term ag reform.
Some in the industry liken agtech automation to a series of football plays, running the ball down the field until funding runs out — as full automation has remained elusive.
Tim Bucher, CEO and co-founder of the agricultural technology company, shares how he took a prototype to a scalable company.
Hollay, the director of government relations for the International Fresh Produce Association, will become the National Council of Agricultural Employers’ new president and CEO as Michael Marsh retires.
UFW Foundation CEO Erica Lomeli Corcoran calls the move a “money grab for big agribusiness.”
This interim final rule is available for public comment until Dec. 1, and changes the way the Adverse Effect Wage Rate is calculated for the H-2A guestworker program.
While the stakes are high for growers, Michael Marsh of the National Council of Agricultural Employers says he sees positive momentum on bringing real, tangible relief to a broken ag labor system.
Unverified workers want documentation, want to ensure their families are protected and want to stay in this country, says Manuel Cunha, president of the Nisei Farmers League.
Labor costs continue to rise for California farmers, but skilled labor isn’t something growers are able to find with the current H-2A program. Labor experts, economists and farmers agree the current immigration system is “broken,” but a solution could be on the horizon.
Michael Marsh, the president and CEO of the national trade association, says this will bring relief to growers across the country.
Michael Marsh, president of the National Council of Agricultural Employers, explains what this ruling means for fresh produce industry businesses.
The short film explores how certified B Corporations are working to weave environmental and social performance, transparency and accountability into their core mission
In recent years, discussions around the slowing growth rate of the U.S. labor force have intensified, igniting concerns over potential economic impacts.
First launched in February and gaining momentum, the American Association of AgLabor Providers aims to level up the professionalism of farm labor contractors.
While those in the fresh produce industry understand the ins and outs of the H-2A guest worker program, some misunderstanding still lingers among the general public.
The free and bilingual resource aims to protect agricultural workers while helping improve farm efficiencies.
Once designated as necessary labor during the pandemic, farmworkers insist their contributions are still critical despite some changing views.
The company says másData provides workers and growers easy-to-access information as well as automated reporting, notification of regulatory updates and more.
While the Third Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the Department of Labor’s administrative system for enforcing fines is unconstitutional, that doesn’t stop the department from pursuing H-2A penalties.
Scheduling can be rough at times in odd-shift occupations, but there are points in favor of sticking with work in the food industry, says columnist Armand Lobato.
The Bracero Program 2.0 Act aims to stabilize ag workforce by reforming and streamlining the H-2A program.
The department says the Mississippi-based company unlawfully favored H-2A visa holders over U.S. workers for ag employment.
While there have been no major disruptions, there’s some concern over the potential for immigration enforcement efforts to impact labor.