The California Fresh Fruit Association (CFFA) applauds the reintroduction of H.R. 1537 “Farm Workforce Modernization Act” which will create a workforce solution for the nation’s agriculture industry. California agriculture represents $50 billion in production value and is a leader in the nation’s exports. However, securing a reliable workforce in California and across the nation has remained a constant struggle within the industry. With the introduction of H.R. 1537, there is an optimism that these concerns will finally be addressed.
News
GSA and Clinica de Salud Announce Vaccination Program for Monterey County Farm Workers
The Grower-Shipper Association of Central California (GSA) and Clinica de Salud del Valle de Salinas (CSVS) announced a new program to administer COVID-19 vaccinations for Monterey County farm workers beginning this Thursday, February 25.
Thomas J. Vilsack was confirmed as the 32nd United States Secretary of Agriculture on Feb. 23, 2021 by the U.S. Senate
He was nominated by President Joe Biden to return to a role where he served for eight years under President Barack Obama.
As leader of the U.S. Department of Agriculture as the 30th Secretary of Agriculture between 2009-2017, Vilsack worked hard to strengthen the American agricultural economy, build vibrant rural communities and create new markets for innovation in rural America. He fought to put Americans back to work by investing in rural infrastructure, renewable energy and large-scale conservation partnerships.
In Kern County, Governor Newsom Announces New Central Valley Vaccine Initiatives Serving Hardest-Hit Communities
As California continues to ramp up vaccination efforts statewide, Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that the state is partnering with OptumServe and local counties to open up to 11 vaccination sites within the next week to serve some of the hardest-hit or most at-risk communities in the Central Valley, in addition to other steps to bolster vaccination efforts in the region.
H-2A Wage Increase Set
H-2A wages will increase by 4.5% in 2021. The U.S. Department of Agriculture USDA released its Farm Labor Survey, which the Department of Labor will use to generate the 2021 Adverse Effect Wage Rates for the H-2A program, according to a news release.
