CA Ag Operations Awarded Big Dollars for Labor Stabilization

It’s time for California Ag Todauy, I am Haylie Shipp. This is the Ag Information Network.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is awarding some $50 million to support farmworkers and agricultural employers. From the agency, the money will go to 141 awardees in 40 states and Puerto Rico, through the Farm Labor Stabilization and Protection Pilot Program. They say the awards will help improve the resiliency of the U.S. food supply chain by addressing agriculture labor challenges.

Find a link to all of the awardees at https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/flsp/awards.

Here in California, it does include $1.2 million awarded to Janna Duncan and Drummond Ranch where they aspire to generate employment opportunities for U.S. workers and facilitate legal migration for North Central American workers via the H-2A program. Alexandre Dairy, a pasture-based organic dairy in northern California will also receive $600,000 to help fill seasonal worker positions for irrigation. That is just the tip of the iceberg for California with 11 awardees in total.

From Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, “Improving working conditions and quality of life for farmworkers, both U.S. based workers and those that come to our country to work, is one key step in building a stronger, more resilient food supply chain.”