California Ag Network

Tag: immigration reform

  • Tulare County Sheriff and Congressional Candidate Addresses Tree Nut and Beehive Theft

    As California almond orchards are coming to life again in beautiful bloom, most of the nation’s beehives have been strategically placed around orchards all over the state in hopes of a solid 2024 crop set.  Should growers be concerned about these hives disappearing overnight? Watch this brief interview Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux who addresses this, along with the historical issues of tree nut theft, and measures that have been taken to mitigate these problems. Boudreaux is also running for Congress, and he shared how he plans to represent California farmers if elected to the 20th Congressional District seat vacated by Kevin McCarthy.

  • Nisei Farmers League Stands Up for Long Time Farmworker Rights

    There are countless immigrant farmworkers that spend most of their lives laboring to feed the world in states such as California, and struggle without the benefits of citizenship and any clear path to get there. Watch this brief interview with Manuel Cunha, President of the Nisei Farmers League, as he and many others take a stand to support the rights of these many hard working families that are the powerhouse of California agriculture.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor the U.S Department of Agriculture for their industry support.

  • Boxing Champion Jose Ramirez Joins and Supports Pistachio Industry

    World Champion Boxer and Olympian Jose Ramirez grew up in the Central Valley and spent some of his youth working in the fields.  Both inside and outside the ring, he has been an advocate for farm water rights, immigration reform, farmers, and farm workers.  Watch this brief interview at the American Pistachio Growers annual luncheon featuring Jose taking his involvement with agriculture to the next level.  Read more about it in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor G3 Enterprises for their industry support.

  • What the Farm Workforce Modernization Act Means for Farmers

    While it has seemed impossible to get anything done at the national level regarding ag labor reform, Sara Neagu-Reed from the federal policy Division of the California Farm Bureau Federation shares in an interview with California Ag Network that hope is on the horizon with the progress of the Farm Workforce Modernization Act. Watch this brief video with Sara as she explains why, and what ag employers should know and do about it.
    Please thank this video’s sponsor Trece for their industry support.

  • New Proposal for Immigration Reform Backed by Champion Boxers & Farmers

    Immigration reform seems to be an ongoing issue our legislature cannot seem to resolve on their own.  That is why farmers have allied with champion boxers and other world-renown athletes in presenting a new solution known as EARNED.  Watch this interview with Nisei Farmers League President Manuel Cunha who briefly explains the program and how it will benefit undocumented farm employees and the Agricultural industry as a whole.

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  • Western Growers’ Statement on Administration’s H-2A Reform Initiative

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture today released a joint cabinet statement on modernizing the H-2A temporary agricultural visa program. In response, Western Growers’ President and CEO Tom Nassif issued the following statement:

    “Any effort to simplify and streamline the federal government’s visa program for agricultural foreign workers – the H-2A program – will be welcomed by our members.

    “While we do not know what the end result will be of the process that begins today, we are hopeful it will enable greater utilization of the H-2A program by the fresh produce industry. We would hope this process will lead to changes in several areas of the existing program, including changes that would accomplish the following:

    • modernize and reduce unnecessary cost of recruitment methods;
    • improve the scope and accuracy of prevailing wage surveys;
    • simplify the application process;
    • incorporate greater flexibility for movement of workers to respond to production needs;
    • clarify interpretations of seasonality; and
    • streamline the approval process for housing and transportation.
    Tom Nassif, Western Growers CEO

    “While this effort to implement administrative changes are most welcome, key aspects of the H-2A program can only be modified by statute. We have grown accustomed to fluctuations in the program’s processes with each administration. Indeed, administrative improvements undertaken by one administration can be, and are, undone by the next, as was done by the prior administration.

    “Though we do support changes to the H-2A program to make the process more efficient, we are concerned with the suggestion that E-Verify would be a part of this proposal. Changes to H-2A should be made to improve the system for the use of all, and any implication that necessary reforms would be limited to those that use E-Verify is concerning.

    “This is why we continue to call on Congress to enact immigration reform legislation that provides a workable path to legalization for our existing workforce and creates a new guest worker visa program to ensure ready access to an adequate supply of labor in the future. Only then can America’s fresh produce farmers plan for long-term sustainability.”

  • Immigration & Ag Labor Update from CAWG

    Special Thanks to This Video’s Sponsor!

    It’s going to be another tough year for growers when it comes to finding sufficient labor to take care of the 2018 crop. Watch this brief interview with Michael Miiller from the California Association of Winegrape Growers who provided an update on the current legislative status of the labor and immigration situation.  Miiller helps growers understand the current dynamics taking place between Sacramento and Washington D.C. making it difficult to come to any immediate solution.