Please Scroll Down for a Selection of Press Coverage of My Research
Workforce Disruptions and Food Prices
Advocacy Group Warns that Farm Country has No Margin Left for Workforce Disruptions (KFGO 09/29/2026)
Immigration Enforcement on Cattle Farms
Cattle Associations Say ICE Enforcement Has ‘Chilling Effect’ on Ag Community, Beef Prices (Straight Arrow News 09/26/2026)
AEWR Legal Matters
Michigan Farms Caught in ‘Ping-Pong’ after Court Strikes Down Trump Admin Wage Cuts (MLive 09/25/2026)
Labor Scarcity and Food Prices
California Grows a Third of the Nation's Vegetables — Here's What a Labor Squeeze Really Costs (The Latin Times 09/18.2026)
New H-2A AEWRs
Harvesting Solutions in a Labor-Strained Industry (Greenhouse Product News 08/17/2026)
California's H-2A Wage Bill Under New AEWR Rules
Farm Groups Fret Increase in California’s H-2A Minimum Wage (Capitol Press 07/23/2026)
Farm Labor Trends
Economists on the Labor Trends That Will Define the Future of U.S. Fresh Produce (The Packer 07/06/2026)
Dairy Sector Labor Study Results
Dairy Farm Labor Shortages, Adaptation Strategies and Preferences for Workforce Policy Options (Farms.com 06/30/2026)
Michigan H-2A Wage Offers in Fiscal Year 2026
Michigan State Extension: AEWR Flexibility Saved Growers $33 Million (Fruit Growers News 06/23/2026)
Michigan’s H-2A Wage Offers in First Half of Fiscal Year 2026 (Morning Ag Clips 06/18/2026)
California H-2A Wage Offers in Fiscal Year 2026
H-2A Rule Change Puts Spotlight on Work Visa Program (Morning Ag Clips 06/08/2026)
H-2A Rule Change Puts Spotlight on Work Visa Program (Western Livestock Journal 06/05/2026)
H-2A Rule Change Puts Spotlight on Work Visa Program (Ledger Dispatch 06/04/2026)
H-2A Rule Change Puts Spotlight on Work Visa Program (Imperial Valley Press 06/04/2026)
H-2A Rule Change Puts Spotlight on Work Visa Program (Ag Alert 06/03/2026)
California Farm Bureau: H-2A Rule Change Lowering Wages Puts Spotlight On Work Visa Program (Sierra Sun Times 06/03/2026)
California Farm Immigration Enforcement Survey
Immigration Crackdowns Spur Fears of Labor Shortages for Farmers (Straight Arrow News 04/19/2026)
Immigration Crackdown's Impact on California's Agriculture Industry (Fox 2 News San Francisco 03/12/2026)
ICE Raids Are Reported To Have 'Chilling Effects' On Farmers — And It Will Impact Groceries (Huff Post 03/09/2026)
Beyond the Raids (Ag Info 03/02/2026)
Findings from the California Farmer Immigration Enforcement Survey (The Fresno Bee 02/28/2026)
Ag Survey Shows ICE Activity Indirectly Cut Farm Labor Supply (The Bakersfield Californian 02/27/2026)
California Survey Links Enforcement Fears to Farm Labor Losses (Fresh Plaza 02/25/2026)
Survey Finds Raids Impacted California Farm Production (AgAlert 02/25/2026)
Survey Finds Raids Impacted California Farm Production (The Sun Gazette 02/25/2026)
Survey Finds Raids Impacted California Farm Production (Imperial Valley Press 02/25/2026)
Survey Finds Raids Impacted California Farm Production (Midvalley Times 02/25/2026)
Farm Labor Trends
New On-Demand Webinar Explores Labor Challenges and Opportunities for Gowers (Vegetable Growers News 01/28/2026)
New On-Demand Webinar Explores Labor Challenges and Opportunities for Growers (Fruit Growers News 01/28/2026)
Farm Workforce Stability
Deportations are Set to Explode — A Huge Worry for Farmers Already Facing a Labor Shortage (Wisconsin Public Radio 01/05/2026)
Deportations are Set to Explode — A Huge Worry for Farmers Already Facing a Labor Shortage (IPM News 12/31/2025)
Deportations are Set to Explode, A Huge Worry for Farmers Already Facing a Labor Shortage (Nebraska Public Media/PBS/NPR 12/29/2025)
Deportations are Set to Explode — A Huge Worry for Farmers Already Facing a Labor Shortage (Harvest Public Media/NPR 12/24/2025)
Deportations a Worry for Farmers (The Iola Register 12/24/2025)
Deportations are Set to Explode — A Huge Worry for Farmers Already Facing a Labor Shortage (St. Louis Public Radio/NPR 12/24/2025)
Farm Employment and Food Prices
Ag Labor Shortages Cause Higher Food Prices, Study Finds (Post Register 01/15/2026)
Labor Shortages are Driving Up Food Prices (Hortbiz Daily 01/05/2026)
Data Reveals How the Ag Labor Crisis Drives Up Food Prices (The Packer 12/29/2025)
Ag Labor Shortages Cause Higher Food Prices, Study Finds (Waverly Newspapers 12/25/2025)
Financial Losses, Labor Fears Tested America's Farmers in 2025 (Progressive Farmer 12/24/2025)
Ag Labor Shortages Cause Higher Food Prices, Study Finds (Idaho Capital Sun 12/22/2025)
Ag Labor Shortages Cause Higher Food Prices, Study Finds (NCW Life 12/22/2025)
Study: Ag Labor Shortages Cause Higher Food Prices (Wisconsin State Farmer 12/19/2025)
Despite New Aid, Farmers Say Labor Shortages Significantly Driving Up Prices (Scripps News 12/18/2025)
A Study Ties Shortages in Agricultural Labor to Increases in Food Prices (Decorah News 12/18/2025)
Farm Labor Shortage Drives Higher Food Prices Nationwide (Red River Farm Network 12/18/2025)
U.S. Farm Labour Shortages Linked to Higher Food Prices (Fresh Plaza 12/18/2025)
Ag Labor Shortages Cause Higher Food Prices, Study Finds (Successful Farming 12/18/2025)
Despite New Aid, Farmers Say Labor Shortages Significantly Driving Up Prices (Fox 17 News 12/17/2025)
Farm Labor Shortages Drive Higher Food Prices, Michigan State Research Finds (Brownfield Ag News 12/17/2025)
Ag Labor Shortages Cause Higher Food Prices, Study Finds (Iowa Capital Dispatch 12/17/2025)
Despite New Aid, Farmers Say Labor Shortages Significantly Driving Up Prices (Bozeman 7 News 12/17/2025)
New H-2A Regulations
Migrant Farm Work Booms in Michigan Despite Feds Pay Cut (Glen Arbor Sun 05/25/2026)
Explaining The New H-2A Wage Rule For Michigan Growers (Farms.com 12/15/2025)
Farm Labor Shortages and Immigration Crackdown
U.S. Farmers Warn of Labour Shortages as Immigration Actions Rise (Fresh Plaza 11/24/2025)
Tariffs, Trade Wars and Immigration Crackdowns (Isthmus 11/10/2025)
Rising Wages and Imports
U.S. Farm Wage Increases Drive Higher Produce Imports (Fresh Plaza 11/07/2025)
Research Ties Rising Farm Wages to Growing Dependence on Ag Imports (Brownfield Ag News 10/06/2025)
Farm Labor Shortages
US Farm Labor Policies Don’t Work for All Farmers (The Van Trump Report 11/06/2025)
New H-2A Minimum Wages
Migrant Farm Work Has Boomed in Michigan. The Feds Just Cut Workers’ Pay (Interlochen Public Radio 11/06/2025)
Grow it Here Farmer Initiative
Ag Labor Worries Discussed at Roundtable (High Plains Journal 11/14/2025)
Federal Migrant Worker Program Proves Fickle, Agriculture Workers and Employers Want Change (Missouri Independent 10/30/2025)
Farmers Face Labor Crisis, Warn of Supply Collapse without Policy Reform (Southwest Ledger 10/28/2025)
Agriculture Labor Shortage at Crisis Levels with Big Consequences at Stake (Red River Radio 10/28/2025)
New Coalition Hopes to Elevate Stories of Farmers in the Ag Labor Crisis (The Packer 10/27/2025)
Federal Migrant Worker Program Proves Fickle, Agriculture Workers and Employers Want Change (Kansas Reflector 10/27/2025)
U.S. Farmers Launch Campaign to Tackle Labor Shortages (Fresh Plaza 10/27/2025)
U.S. Farmers Face Labor Crisis, Warn of Supply Collapse Without Policy Reform (Oklahoma Farm Report 10/24/2025)
New Farmer Coalition Aims to Raise Awareness about Labor Shortages Facing U.S. Agricultural Sector (KJZZ Phoenix 10/24/2025)
Immigration Worries in Michigan
Immigration Turmoil Sparks Workforce Worries for Many Michigan Industries (Crains Detroit 10/23/2025)
USDA Stops Farm Labor Survey
Farm Labor Survey Nixed (Brownfield Ag News 09/05/2025)
Farm Labor Reform
Farmers Advocate for Reform, Workers Fight for Survival amid Trump Immigration Crackdown (Idaho Capital Sun 09/08/2025)
Farmers Push for Reform as Trump’s Immigration Crackdown Continues (Times of San Diego 09/07/2025)
Farmers Advocate for Reform, Workers Fight for Survival amid Trump Immigration Crackdown (News 21 09/04/2025)
MSU Extension Podcast
What's Going on with Farm Labor? (MSU Extension Virtual Coffee Break 08/28/2025)
Farm Labor Shortages and Adaptation Strategies
Report Assesses How Farms Adapt to Labor Shortages (AgAlert 08/27/2025)
Farm Labor Research Highlights
Spartans Strengthen Michigan’s Economy (Michigan State University News 08/20/2025)
Farm Labor Challenges
MSU Study Shows Farm Labor Changes, Challenges (Vegetable Growers News 07/11/2025)
US Farm Wages
Labor Crisis Reality Check: How Immigration Crackdowns Could Increase Milk Prices by 90% and Crash Profits (The Bullvine 06/15/2025)
Labor Shortages in US Agriculture
DTN/Progressive Farmer Takes Closer Look at Ag Labor Challenges, Solutions (Progressive Farmer 06/11/2025)
Michigan Specialty Crops
Michigan Fruit and Vegetable Sector at Risk as Crop Decline Continues (Fresh Plaza 04/16/2025)
Recent Research on Farmworker Health Coverage
Providing Farmworkers with Health Insurance is Worth it for their Employers − New Research (The Conversation 04/08/2025)
Adverse Effect Wage Rates
Much Work Remains to Solve Ag Labor Issues (The Packer 02/06/2025)
Trump Tariffs and Automation
Trump’s Tariff Strategy: A Game-Changer for America’s Dairy Industry (Bullvine 01/23/2025)
Dairy Industry Under Trump
What Next for the US Dairy Workforce Under Trump (Dairy Reporter 01/22/2025)
Farm Wages in Florida
Migrant Farmworkers Came to Florida for Stability. They Found Danger (Tampa Bay Times 12/27/2024)
Deportations and Tariffs in US Agriculture
Prepare for Guacamole to Be a Luxury Item (The New York Times 12/11/2024)
Highlights of Grant Funding for Farm Labor Research
MSU Researcher Studies Labor Shortages in Agriculture (Hortbiz Daily 12/19/2024)
MSU Ag Economist Awarded Grant to Analyze Ag Labor Trends, Promote US Food Supply Chain Resilience (The Fence Post 12/13/2024)
MSU Ag Economist to Analyze Agricultural Labor Trends, H-2A and Adverse Effect Wage Rate Impacts (Michigan Farm News 12/10/2024)
Project Led by MSU Assistant Professor Zach Rutledge Has Been Awarded Funding by USDA NIFA Through to 2028 (Fruitnet 12/09/2024)
Michigan State University Researcher to Study Labour Challenges (The Grower 12/09/2024)
MSU Ag Economist Awarded Grant to Analyze Agricultural Labor Trends, Promote U.S. Food Supply Chain Resilience (MSU AgBioResearch 12/09/2024)
Coverage of 2024 MSU Farm Labor Conference
Farm Labor Questions Remain with New Administration (Brownfield Ag News 11/06/2024)
Immigration and US Agriculture
Inside a Flawed Immigration System (Los Angeles Times 10/23/2024)
Lack of Affordable Housing for Ag Workers
Federally Funded Housing for Farmworkers Disqualifies Tenants for Making Too Much Money (National Public Radio Kansas City 08/07/2024)
Federally Funded Housing for Farmworkers Disqualifies Tenants for Making Too Much Money (Kansas Public Radio 08/07/2024)
Federally Funded Housing for Farmworkers Disqualifies Tenants for Making Too Much Money (Iowa Public Radio 08/07/2024)
Federally Funded Housing for Farmworkers Disqualifies Tenants for Making Too Much Money (National Public Radio Illinois 08/07/2024)
Affordable Housing for Ag Workers is Falling Short in Fort Morgan and Beyond (KUNC 08/05/2024)
Agricultural Labor Crisis Report
Only Congress Can Fix America’s Agricultural Labor Crisis (International Fresh Produce Association 06/11/2024)
IFPA Advocates for Stable Labor Costs
IFPA to Emphasize High Labor Costs at Washington Meeting (The Fence Post 06/07/2024)
Rising Adverse Effect Wage Rates
‘We Don’t Have Years, We Have Months’ — MFB Members Warn Lawmakers of Labor Crisis (Michigan Farm News 02/24/2024)
Chestnut Growers Annual Meeting Feature Farm Labor Expert
All Chestnut Growers Welcome to Join Annual Educational and Networking Meeting (Morning Ag Clips 02/23/20243)
Labor Shortages Create Vulnerabilities for American Producers
Where’s USDA Help? Rep. Slotkin Pushes Ag Secretary on AEWR, Labor (Michigan Farm News 02/16/2024)
Greenhouse Survey Results at the Great Lakes Ag Expo
Registration Open for 2023 Michigan Greenhouse Growers Expo (Morning Ag Clips 11/02/2023)
Labor and Michigan Milk Production
'Milk Production Capacity Could Decline' — Examining Michigan Dairy Labor Supply Pressures (Michigan Farm News 10/06/2023)
H-2A Workers Comprise A Significant Share of US Farm Workforce
DOL, DHS, and USDA Launch New Proposed Rules and Initiatives Affecting H-2A Programs (National Ag Law Center 10/05/2023)
Michigan Greenhouse Expo Features Labor Expert
Registration Open for 2023 Michigan Greenhouse Growers Expo (Morning Ag Clips 11/02/2023)
Wages and Labor Shortages
Agricultural Worker Shortage to Worsen without Wage Increases (WorkRise 08/16/2023)
Technology Adoption in Labor-Intensive Agriculture
How Technology Can Help Solve Agriculture's Labor Woe (AgriPulse 09/05/2023)
Labor Expert Presents at Michigan Ag Credit Conference
The Michigan Agricultural Credit Conference Returns on October 24, 2023 (MSU AFRE News 08/29/2023)
High AEWRs and Other Farm Labor Challenges
The Ripple Effects of Ag’s Immigrant Challenges (AgriPulse 08/28/2023)
The Ripple Effects of Ag’s Immigrant Challenges (CryptoNewsBTC 08/28/2023)
Farm Labor Pressures in Michigan Agriculture
Michigan Growers Besieged by Labor, AEWR (Fruit Growers News, 08/18/2023)
Wolverine State Growers Pressed by AEWR, Labor Challenges (Vegetable Growers News 08/18/2023)
‘It Just Doesn’t Work’ — AEWR, Labor Pressures Bearing Down on Farmers (Michigan Farm News 08/17/2023)
Bad Apple Employers Bring Negative Publicity to Farming
Why Ag Labor is a Growing Challenge Beyond the Farm (Growing Produce 07/26/2023)
Heat Illness Prevention
The Heat - and Health Hazards - Continue (Hoard's Dairyman 08/17/2023)
Understanding and Preventing Farm Employee Heat-Related Illness (Farmers Advance 07/26/2023)
Farm Employee Heat-Related Illness Prevention and Regulatory Compliance (Michigan Farm News 07/25/2023)
Prevent Heat-Related Illnesses for Farm Employees (Farm Progress 06/20/2023)
Frozen Vegetable Prices
Three Reasons Why Frozen Vegetables Are More Expensive (El Planeta 09/25/2023)
Why Are Frozen Vegetable Prices So High? Blame War, Fewer Immigrants and California Weather, Say Economists. (CNBC 07/20/2023)
MSU Extension Dairy Spotlight
Dairy Spotlight: Dr. Zach Rutledge (MSU Extension 06/27/23)
The H-2A Visa Program Helps Bring Ag Workers to California
Getting Ag Workers to Sonoma County (Sonoma County Winegrowers 04/12/23)
Farmworkers: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
John Oliver Cites Farm Labor Law Violation Research at 14:05 (Last Week Tonight with John Oliver 04/17/23)
Farm Workforce Modernization Act
Who Killed the Farm Workforce Modernization Act? Who Can Resurrect It? (Ideaspace 05/18/23)
USDA Agricultural Outlook Forum
USDA Session Tackles H-2A, Labor Shortages (Vegetable Growers News 03/09/23)
Great Lakes Expo
Finding Solid Labor in a Tight Market (Country Folks Grower 03/06/23)
International Fruit Tree Association Conference
Retail and Labor Trends will Continue to Challenge Fruit Growers (Good Fruit Grower 04/06/23)
Shifting Labor Trends (Good Fruit Grower 02/13/23)
California Ag Employment Estimates
In Rural California, Farmworkers Fend for Themselves for Health Care: ‘We Have a Right to Survive’ (Visalia Delta Times 12/08/22)
Greenhouse Industry Labor Survey
American Hort News Release (AmericanHort 11/09/22)
Growers Are Facing Significant Labor Constraints and Current Policies Need Reform (Fresh Plaza 11/22/22)
AmericanHort Survey Confirms Critical State of Labor for Horticulture (Greenhouse Grower 11/11/22)
AmericanHort’s Labor and Employment Survey Results Available Now (Greenhouse Product News 10/10/22)
Results from Greenhouse & Nursery Labor and Employment Survey Available (Indiana Nursery and Landscape Association ND)
Survey Results Confirm: Growers are Facing Significant Labor Constraints and Current Policies Need Reform (Horti Daily 11/11/22)
2022 Greenhouse & Nursery Labor Employment Survey (Floral Daily 11/09/22)
MSU AFRE News Release
AFRE Assistant Professor Zach Rutledge Focuses on the Next Generation of Agricultural Labor (Michigan State University 10/31/22)
Michigan Agricultural Credit Conference
Labor Specialist Expects Technology to Complement Shortage (Brownfield Ag News 10/31/22)
H-2A Research Report
Pandemic Didn’t Lead to Farm Labor Shortage (Produce Blue Book 09/13/22)
Report: Freezing H-2A Workers’ Minimum Wage Could Hurt Domestic Workers (RFDTV 9/12/22)
Florida Is Leading User of H-2A Workers (AgNet Media 09/08/22)
H-2A Seasonal Worker Program Sees Growth (AgInfo 10/05/22)
Pandemic Can’t Slow the Growth of the H-2A Program, USDA Report Says (The Packer 09/06/22)
The H-2A Program in 2020 (Rural Migration News 09/16/22)
USDA: H-2A Seasonal Worker Program Expanded Over Time (Pacific Northwest Ag Network 10/05/22)
USDA Dconomists: Freezing H-2A Wage Rate Could Affect Domestic Workers (Agri-Pulse 08/31/22)
The H-2A Temporary Agricultural Worker Program in 2020 (Louisiana Farm Bureau News 08/31/22)
USDA: H-2A Seasonal Worker Program Expanded Over Time (Market Talk Ag 10/04/22)
ERS Report: H-2A Certified Jobs Numbered 275,000 in 2020 (Specialty Crop Industry 10/05/22)
Interest for H-2A Workers Not Slowing Down (Brownfield Ag News 09/30/22)
New Overtime Laws in Pacific Coast States
West Coast Farm Owners Are Adapting to New Overtime Laws (Ambrook Research 08/24/22)
California Farm Labor Survey
Commentary: Farms Rallied in Crisis but Still Need Workforce Help (Ag Alert 08/03/22)
Report on Agricultural Sector Labor Law Violations
A Few Bad Apples in Farm Labor Account for Nearly 75 Percent of Violations (Produce Blue Book 05/18/22)
Statement of Teresa Romero, President, UFW to US Congress (US House of Representatives 06/20/2022)
Daniel Costa's Testimony to the Oregon House Committee on Business and Labor (Economic Policy Institute 02/08/22)
California Assembly Bill 364 on Labor and Employment (California State Assembly 04/08/21)
New Report Details Findings of Ag Labor Investigations (AgNet West 12/18/20)
California Farm Labor Survey
Committee on Agriculture Hearing (US House of Representatives 05/09/19)
California Farmers Continue to Have Problems Hiring Enough Workers (KSBW News 04/30/19)
California Reportedly Facing Farm Worker Shortage (ABC News 05/08/19)
California Farmers Once Again Facing Labor Shortages (Capital Public Radio 04/30/19)
California Farms Are Suffering from a Labor Shortage. Here's Why (Fox Business 05/01/19)
California Farmers Increasingly Turning to Mechanization Due to Labor Shortages, Says Survey (CNBC 05/01/19)
Half of California's Farmers Can't Find Enough Workers Amid Immigration Crackdown (Newsweek 05/01/19)
Ag Labor: No Quick Fix for Tree Nut Farmers (Western Farm Press 05/15/19)
California Leads Fight to Fix National Farm Labor Shortage (Agripulse 05/08/19)
Survey: Worker Shortages Bringing Changes to California Farms (Sacramento Business Journal 05/08/19)
Survey Highlights Negative Trend in Worker Availability (Farm Progress 05/07/19)
California Farmers Face Ongoing Labor Shortage, Survey Shows (New Food Economy 05/06/19)
California Farms Face Continuing Labor Shortages (The Packer 05/06/19)
California Farms Face Continuing Employee Shortage (Morning Ag Clips 05/02/19)
California Farmers Have Raised Wages, but Still Unable to Find Enough Workers (UC Davis Press Release 05/02/19)
Farm Bureau Cites Worker Shortage (Sierra 2 the Sea 05/01/19)
Survey: California Farms Face Continuing Employee Shortages (The Sentinel 05/01/19)
Survey: California Farmers Turning to Labor-Saving Crops, Automation (Fruit Growers News 05/01/2020)
CFBF: Farms Face Continuing Worker Shortages (Western Farm Press 04/30/19)
Labor-Saving Crops, Automation Drive California Farms, Survey Says (Vegetable Growers News 05/01/20)
Labor Shortages Continue for California Farms (Ag Net West 04/30/19)
Survey: California Farms Face Continuing Employee Shortages (California Farm Bureau Federation News Release 04/30/19)
Why California Farmers Are Having Increasingly Harder Time Finding Workers (Bakersfield 04/30/19)
Advocacy Group Warns that Farm Country has No Margin Left for Workforce Disruptions (KFGO 09/29/2026)
Immigration Enforcement on Cattle Farms
Cattle Associations Say ICE Enforcement Has ‘Chilling Effect’ on Ag Community, Beef Prices (Straight Arrow News 09/26/2026)
AEWR Legal Matters
Michigan Farms Caught in ‘Ping-Pong’ after Court Strikes Down Trump Admin Wage Cuts (MLive 09/25/2026)
Labor Scarcity and Food Prices
California Grows a Third of the Nation's Vegetables — Here's What a Labor Squeeze Really Costs (The Latin Times 09/18.2026)
New H-2A AEWRs
Harvesting Solutions in a Labor-Strained Industry (Greenhouse Product News 08/17/2026)
California's H-2A Wage Bill Under New AEWR Rules
Farm Groups Fret Increase in California’s H-2A Minimum Wage (Capitol Press 07/23/2026)
Farm Labor Trends
Economists on the Labor Trends That Will Define the Future of U.S. Fresh Produce (The Packer 07/06/2026)
Dairy Sector Labor Study Results
Dairy Farm Labor Shortages, Adaptation Strategies and Preferences for Workforce Policy Options (Farms.com 06/30/2026)
Michigan H-2A Wage Offers in Fiscal Year 2026
Michigan State Extension: AEWR Flexibility Saved Growers $33 Million (Fruit Growers News 06/23/2026)
Michigan’s H-2A Wage Offers in First Half of Fiscal Year 2026 (Morning Ag Clips 06/18/2026)
California H-2A Wage Offers in Fiscal Year 2026
H-2A Rule Change Puts Spotlight on Work Visa Program (Morning Ag Clips 06/08/2026)
H-2A Rule Change Puts Spotlight on Work Visa Program (Western Livestock Journal 06/05/2026)
H-2A Rule Change Puts Spotlight on Work Visa Program (Ledger Dispatch 06/04/2026)
H-2A Rule Change Puts Spotlight on Work Visa Program (Imperial Valley Press 06/04/2026)
H-2A Rule Change Puts Spotlight on Work Visa Program (Ag Alert 06/03/2026)
California Farm Bureau: H-2A Rule Change Lowering Wages Puts Spotlight On Work Visa Program (Sierra Sun Times 06/03/2026)
California Farm Immigration Enforcement Survey
Immigration Crackdowns Spur Fears of Labor Shortages for Farmers (Straight Arrow News 04/19/2026)
Immigration Crackdown's Impact on California's Agriculture Industry (Fox 2 News San Francisco 03/12/2026)
ICE Raids Are Reported To Have 'Chilling Effects' On Farmers — And It Will Impact Groceries (Huff Post 03/09/2026)
Beyond the Raids (Ag Info 03/02/2026)
Findings from the California Farmer Immigration Enforcement Survey (The Fresno Bee 02/28/2026)
Ag Survey Shows ICE Activity Indirectly Cut Farm Labor Supply (The Bakersfield Californian 02/27/2026)
California Survey Links Enforcement Fears to Farm Labor Losses (Fresh Plaza 02/25/2026)
Survey Finds Raids Impacted California Farm Production (AgAlert 02/25/2026)
Survey Finds Raids Impacted California Farm Production (The Sun Gazette 02/25/2026)
Survey Finds Raids Impacted California Farm Production (Imperial Valley Press 02/25/2026)
Survey Finds Raids Impacted California Farm Production (Midvalley Times 02/25/2026)
Farm Labor Trends
New On-Demand Webinar Explores Labor Challenges and Opportunities for Gowers (Vegetable Growers News 01/28/2026)
New On-Demand Webinar Explores Labor Challenges and Opportunities for Growers (Fruit Growers News 01/28/2026)
Farm Workforce Stability
Deportations are Set to Explode — A Huge Worry for Farmers Already Facing a Labor Shortage (Wisconsin Public Radio 01/05/2026)
Deportations are Set to Explode — A Huge Worry for Farmers Already Facing a Labor Shortage (IPM News 12/31/2025)
Deportations are Set to Explode, A Huge Worry for Farmers Already Facing a Labor Shortage (Nebraska Public Media/PBS/NPR 12/29/2025)
Deportations are Set to Explode — A Huge Worry for Farmers Already Facing a Labor Shortage (Harvest Public Media/NPR 12/24/2025)
Deportations a Worry for Farmers (The Iola Register 12/24/2025)
Deportations are Set to Explode — A Huge Worry for Farmers Already Facing a Labor Shortage (St. Louis Public Radio/NPR 12/24/2025)
Farm Employment and Food Prices
Ag Labor Shortages Cause Higher Food Prices, Study Finds (Post Register 01/15/2026)
Labor Shortages are Driving Up Food Prices (Hortbiz Daily 01/05/2026)
Data Reveals How the Ag Labor Crisis Drives Up Food Prices (The Packer 12/29/2025)
Ag Labor Shortages Cause Higher Food Prices, Study Finds (Waverly Newspapers 12/25/2025)
Financial Losses, Labor Fears Tested America's Farmers in 2025 (Progressive Farmer 12/24/2025)
Ag Labor Shortages Cause Higher Food Prices, Study Finds (Idaho Capital Sun 12/22/2025)
Ag Labor Shortages Cause Higher Food Prices, Study Finds (NCW Life 12/22/2025)
Study: Ag Labor Shortages Cause Higher Food Prices (Wisconsin State Farmer 12/19/2025)
Despite New Aid, Farmers Say Labor Shortages Significantly Driving Up Prices (Scripps News 12/18/2025)
A Study Ties Shortages in Agricultural Labor to Increases in Food Prices (Decorah News 12/18/2025)
Farm Labor Shortage Drives Higher Food Prices Nationwide (Red River Farm Network 12/18/2025)
U.S. Farm Labour Shortages Linked to Higher Food Prices (Fresh Plaza 12/18/2025)
Ag Labor Shortages Cause Higher Food Prices, Study Finds (Successful Farming 12/18/2025)
Despite New Aid, Farmers Say Labor Shortages Significantly Driving Up Prices (Fox 17 News 12/17/2025)
Farm Labor Shortages Drive Higher Food Prices, Michigan State Research Finds (Brownfield Ag News 12/17/2025)
Ag Labor Shortages Cause Higher Food Prices, Study Finds (Iowa Capital Dispatch 12/17/2025)
Despite New Aid, Farmers Say Labor Shortages Significantly Driving Up Prices (Bozeman 7 News 12/17/2025)
New H-2A Regulations
Migrant Farm Work Booms in Michigan Despite Feds Pay Cut (Glen Arbor Sun 05/25/2026)
Explaining The New H-2A Wage Rule For Michigan Growers (Farms.com 12/15/2025)
Farm Labor Shortages and Immigration Crackdown
U.S. Farmers Warn of Labour Shortages as Immigration Actions Rise (Fresh Plaza 11/24/2025)
Tariffs, Trade Wars and Immigration Crackdowns (Isthmus 11/10/2025)
Rising Wages and Imports
U.S. Farm Wage Increases Drive Higher Produce Imports (Fresh Plaza 11/07/2025)
Research Ties Rising Farm Wages to Growing Dependence on Ag Imports (Brownfield Ag News 10/06/2025)
Farm Labor Shortages
US Farm Labor Policies Don’t Work for All Farmers (The Van Trump Report 11/06/2025)
New H-2A Minimum Wages
Migrant Farm Work Has Boomed in Michigan. The Feds Just Cut Workers’ Pay (Interlochen Public Radio 11/06/2025)
Grow it Here Farmer Initiative
Ag Labor Worries Discussed at Roundtable (High Plains Journal 11/14/2025)
Federal Migrant Worker Program Proves Fickle, Agriculture Workers and Employers Want Change (Missouri Independent 10/30/2025)
Farmers Face Labor Crisis, Warn of Supply Collapse without Policy Reform (Southwest Ledger 10/28/2025)
Agriculture Labor Shortage at Crisis Levels with Big Consequences at Stake (Red River Radio 10/28/2025)
New Coalition Hopes to Elevate Stories of Farmers in the Ag Labor Crisis (The Packer 10/27/2025)
Federal Migrant Worker Program Proves Fickle, Agriculture Workers and Employers Want Change (Kansas Reflector 10/27/2025)
U.S. Farmers Launch Campaign to Tackle Labor Shortages (Fresh Plaza 10/27/2025)
U.S. Farmers Face Labor Crisis, Warn of Supply Collapse Without Policy Reform (Oklahoma Farm Report 10/24/2025)
New Farmer Coalition Aims to Raise Awareness about Labor Shortages Facing U.S. Agricultural Sector (KJZZ Phoenix 10/24/2025)
Immigration Worries in Michigan
Immigration Turmoil Sparks Workforce Worries for Many Michigan Industries (Crains Detroit 10/23/2025)
USDA Stops Farm Labor Survey
Farm Labor Survey Nixed (Brownfield Ag News 09/05/2025)
Farm Labor Reform
Farmers Advocate for Reform, Workers Fight for Survival amid Trump Immigration Crackdown (Idaho Capital Sun 09/08/2025)
Farmers Push for Reform as Trump’s Immigration Crackdown Continues (Times of San Diego 09/07/2025)
Farmers Advocate for Reform, Workers Fight for Survival amid Trump Immigration Crackdown (News 21 09/04/2025)
MSU Extension Podcast
What's Going on with Farm Labor? (MSU Extension Virtual Coffee Break 08/28/2025)
Farm Labor Shortages and Adaptation Strategies
Report Assesses How Farms Adapt to Labor Shortages (AgAlert 08/27/2025)
Farm Labor Research Highlights
Spartans Strengthen Michigan’s Economy (Michigan State University News 08/20/2025)
Farm Labor Challenges
MSU Study Shows Farm Labor Changes, Challenges (Vegetable Growers News 07/11/2025)
US Farm Wages
Labor Crisis Reality Check: How Immigration Crackdowns Could Increase Milk Prices by 90% and Crash Profits (The Bullvine 06/15/2025)
Labor Shortages in US Agriculture
DTN/Progressive Farmer Takes Closer Look at Ag Labor Challenges, Solutions (Progressive Farmer 06/11/2025)
Michigan Specialty Crops
Michigan Fruit and Vegetable Sector at Risk as Crop Decline Continues (Fresh Plaza 04/16/2025)
Recent Research on Farmworker Health Coverage
Providing Farmworkers with Health Insurance is Worth it for their Employers − New Research (The Conversation 04/08/2025)
Adverse Effect Wage Rates
Much Work Remains to Solve Ag Labor Issues (The Packer 02/06/2025)
Trump Tariffs and Automation
Trump’s Tariff Strategy: A Game-Changer for America’s Dairy Industry (Bullvine 01/23/2025)
Dairy Industry Under Trump
What Next for the US Dairy Workforce Under Trump (Dairy Reporter 01/22/2025)
Farm Wages in Florida
Migrant Farmworkers Came to Florida for Stability. They Found Danger (Tampa Bay Times 12/27/2024)
Deportations and Tariffs in US Agriculture
Prepare for Guacamole to Be a Luxury Item (The New York Times 12/11/2024)
Highlights of Grant Funding for Farm Labor Research
MSU Researcher Studies Labor Shortages in Agriculture (Hortbiz Daily 12/19/2024)
MSU Ag Economist Awarded Grant to Analyze Ag Labor Trends, Promote US Food Supply Chain Resilience (The Fence Post 12/13/2024)
MSU Ag Economist to Analyze Agricultural Labor Trends, H-2A and Adverse Effect Wage Rate Impacts (Michigan Farm News 12/10/2024)
Project Led by MSU Assistant Professor Zach Rutledge Has Been Awarded Funding by USDA NIFA Through to 2028 (Fruitnet 12/09/2024)
Michigan State University Researcher to Study Labour Challenges (The Grower 12/09/2024)
MSU Ag Economist Awarded Grant to Analyze Agricultural Labor Trends, Promote U.S. Food Supply Chain Resilience (MSU AgBioResearch 12/09/2024)
Coverage of 2024 MSU Farm Labor Conference
Farm Labor Questions Remain with New Administration (Brownfield Ag News 11/06/2024)
Immigration and US Agriculture
Inside a Flawed Immigration System (Los Angeles Times 10/23/2024)
Lack of Affordable Housing for Ag Workers
Federally Funded Housing for Farmworkers Disqualifies Tenants for Making Too Much Money (National Public Radio Kansas City 08/07/2024)
Federally Funded Housing for Farmworkers Disqualifies Tenants for Making Too Much Money (Kansas Public Radio 08/07/2024)
Federally Funded Housing for Farmworkers Disqualifies Tenants for Making Too Much Money (Iowa Public Radio 08/07/2024)
Federally Funded Housing for Farmworkers Disqualifies Tenants for Making Too Much Money (National Public Radio Illinois 08/07/2024)
Affordable Housing for Ag Workers is Falling Short in Fort Morgan and Beyond (KUNC 08/05/2024)
Agricultural Labor Crisis Report
Only Congress Can Fix America’s Agricultural Labor Crisis (International Fresh Produce Association 06/11/2024)
IFPA Advocates for Stable Labor Costs
IFPA to Emphasize High Labor Costs at Washington Meeting (The Fence Post 06/07/2024)
Rising Adverse Effect Wage Rates
‘We Don’t Have Years, We Have Months’ — MFB Members Warn Lawmakers of Labor Crisis (Michigan Farm News 02/24/2024)
Chestnut Growers Annual Meeting Feature Farm Labor Expert
All Chestnut Growers Welcome to Join Annual Educational and Networking Meeting (Morning Ag Clips 02/23/20243)
Labor Shortages Create Vulnerabilities for American Producers
Where’s USDA Help? Rep. Slotkin Pushes Ag Secretary on AEWR, Labor (Michigan Farm News 02/16/2024)
Greenhouse Survey Results at the Great Lakes Ag Expo
Registration Open for 2023 Michigan Greenhouse Growers Expo (Morning Ag Clips 11/02/2023)
Labor and Michigan Milk Production
'Milk Production Capacity Could Decline' — Examining Michigan Dairy Labor Supply Pressures (Michigan Farm News 10/06/2023)
H-2A Workers Comprise A Significant Share of US Farm Workforce
DOL, DHS, and USDA Launch New Proposed Rules and Initiatives Affecting H-2A Programs (National Ag Law Center 10/05/2023)
Michigan Greenhouse Expo Features Labor Expert
Registration Open for 2023 Michigan Greenhouse Growers Expo (Morning Ag Clips 11/02/2023)
Wages and Labor Shortages
Agricultural Worker Shortage to Worsen without Wage Increases (WorkRise 08/16/2023)
Technology Adoption in Labor-Intensive Agriculture
How Technology Can Help Solve Agriculture's Labor Woe (AgriPulse 09/05/2023)
Labor Expert Presents at Michigan Ag Credit Conference
The Michigan Agricultural Credit Conference Returns on October 24, 2023 (MSU AFRE News 08/29/2023)
High AEWRs and Other Farm Labor Challenges
The Ripple Effects of Ag’s Immigrant Challenges (AgriPulse 08/28/2023)
The Ripple Effects of Ag’s Immigrant Challenges (CryptoNewsBTC 08/28/2023)
Farm Labor Pressures in Michigan Agriculture
Michigan Growers Besieged by Labor, AEWR (Fruit Growers News, 08/18/2023)
Wolverine State Growers Pressed by AEWR, Labor Challenges (Vegetable Growers News 08/18/2023)
‘It Just Doesn’t Work’ — AEWR, Labor Pressures Bearing Down on Farmers (Michigan Farm News 08/17/2023)
Bad Apple Employers Bring Negative Publicity to Farming
Why Ag Labor is a Growing Challenge Beyond the Farm (Growing Produce 07/26/2023)
Heat Illness Prevention
The Heat - and Health Hazards - Continue (Hoard's Dairyman 08/17/2023)
Understanding and Preventing Farm Employee Heat-Related Illness (Farmers Advance 07/26/2023)
Farm Employee Heat-Related Illness Prevention and Regulatory Compliance (Michigan Farm News 07/25/2023)
Prevent Heat-Related Illnesses for Farm Employees (Farm Progress 06/20/2023)
Frozen Vegetable Prices
Three Reasons Why Frozen Vegetables Are More Expensive (El Planeta 09/25/2023)
Why Are Frozen Vegetable Prices So High? Blame War, Fewer Immigrants and California Weather, Say Economists. (CNBC 07/20/2023)
MSU Extension Dairy Spotlight
Dairy Spotlight: Dr. Zach Rutledge (MSU Extension 06/27/23)
The H-2A Visa Program Helps Bring Ag Workers to California
Getting Ag Workers to Sonoma County (Sonoma County Winegrowers 04/12/23)
Farmworkers: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
John Oliver Cites Farm Labor Law Violation Research at 14:05 (Last Week Tonight with John Oliver 04/17/23)
Farm Workforce Modernization Act
Who Killed the Farm Workforce Modernization Act? Who Can Resurrect It? (Ideaspace 05/18/23)
USDA Agricultural Outlook Forum
USDA Session Tackles H-2A, Labor Shortages (Vegetable Growers News 03/09/23)
Great Lakes Expo
Finding Solid Labor in a Tight Market (Country Folks Grower 03/06/23)
International Fruit Tree Association Conference
Retail and Labor Trends will Continue to Challenge Fruit Growers (Good Fruit Grower 04/06/23)
Shifting Labor Trends (Good Fruit Grower 02/13/23)
California Ag Employment Estimates
In Rural California, Farmworkers Fend for Themselves for Health Care: ‘We Have a Right to Survive’ (Visalia Delta Times 12/08/22)
Greenhouse Industry Labor Survey
American Hort News Release (AmericanHort 11/09/22)
Growers Are Facing Significant Labor Constraints and Current Policies Need Reform (Fresh Plaza 11/22/22)
AmericanHort Survey Confirms Critical State of Labor for Horticulture (Greenhouse Grower 11/11/22)
AmericanHort’s Labor and Employment Survey Results Available Now (Greenhouse Product News 10/10/22)
Results from Greenhouse & Nursery Labor and Employment Survey Available (Indiana Nursery and Landscape Association ND)
Survey Results Confirm: Growers are Facing Significant Labor Constraints and Current Policies Need Reform (Horti Daily 11/11/22)
2022 Greenhouse & Nursery Labor Employment Survey (Floral Daily 11/09/22)
MSU AFRE News Release
AFRE Assistant Professor Zach Rutledge Focuses on the Next Generation of Agricultural Labor (Michigan State University 10/31/22)
Michigan Agricultural Credit Conference
Labor Specialist Expects Technology to Complement Shortage (Brownfield Ag News 10/31/22)
H-2A Research Report
Pandemic Didn’t Lead to Farm Labor Shortage (Produce Blue Book 09/13/22)
Report: Freezing H-2A Workers’ Minimum Wage Could Hurt Domestic Workers (RFDTV 9/12/22)
Florida Is Leading User of H-2A Workers (AgNet Media 09/08/22)
H-2A Seasonal Worker Program Sees Growth (AgInfo 10/05/22)
Pandemic Can’t Slow the Growth of the H-2A Program, USDA Report Says (The Packer 09/06/22)
The H-2A Program in 2020 (Rural Migration News 09/16/22)
USDA: H-2A Seasonal Worker Program Expanded Over Time (Pacific Northwest Ag Network 10/05/22)
USDA Dconomists: Freezing H-2A Wage Rate Could Affect Domestic Workers (Agri-Pulse 08/31/22)
The H-2A Temporary Agricultural Worker Program in 2020 (Louisiana Farm Bureau News 08/31/22)
USDA: H-2A Seasonal Worker Program Expanded Over Time (Market Talk Ag 10/04/22)
ERS Report: H-2A Certified Jobs Numbered 275,000 in 2020 (Specialty Crop Industry 10/05/22)
Interest for H-2A Workers Not Slowing Down (Brownfield Ag News 09/30/22)
New Overtime Laws in Pacific Coast States
West Coast Farm Owners Are Adapting to New Overtime Laws (Ambrook Research 08/24/22)
California Farm Labor Survey
Commentary: Farms Rallied in Crisis but Still Need Workforce Help (Ag Alert 08/03/22)
Report on Agricultural Sector Labor Law Violations
A Few Bad Apples in Farm Labor Account for Nearly 75 Percent of Violations (Produce Blue Book 05/18/22)
Statement of Teresa Romero, President, UFW to US Congress (US House of Representatives 06/20/2022)
Daniel Costa's Testimony to the Oregon House Committee on Business and Labor (Economic Policy Institute 02/08/22)
California Assembly Bill 364 on Labor and Employment (California State Assembly 04/08/21)
New Report Details Findings of Ag Labor Investigations (AgNet West 12/18/20)
California Farm Labor Survey
Committee on Agriculture Hearing (US House of Representatives 05/09/19)
California Farmers Continue to Have Problems Hiring Enough Workers (KSBW News 04/30/19)
California Reportedly Facing Farm Worker Shortage (ABC News 05/08/19)
California Farmers Once Again Facing Labor Shortages (Capital Public Radio 04/30/19)
California Farms Are Suffering from a Labor Shortage. Here's Why (Fox Business 05/01/19)
California Farmers Increasingly Turning to Mechanization Due to Labor Shortages, Says Survey (CNBC 05/01/19)
Half of California's Farmers Can't Find Enough Workers Amid Immigration Crackdown (Newsweek 05/01/19)
Ag Labor: No Quick Fix for Tree Nut Farmers (Western Farm Press 05/15/19)
California Leads Fight to Fix National Farm Labor Shortage (Agripulse 05/08/19)
Survey: Worker Shortages Bringing Changes to California Farms (Sacramento Business Journal 05/08/19)
Survey Highlights Negative Trend in Worker Availability (Farm Progress 05/07/19)
California Farmers Face Ongoing Labor Shortage, Survey Shows (New Food Economy 05/06/19)
California Farms Face Continuing Labor Shortages (The Packer 05/06/19)
California Farms Face Continuing Employee Shortage (Morning Ag Clips 05/02/19)
California Farmers Have Raised Wages, but Still Unable to Find Enough Workers (UC Davis Press Release 05/02/19)
Farm Bureau Cites Worker Shortage (Sierra 2 the Sea 05/01/19)
Survey: California Farms Face Continuing Employee Shortages (The Sentinel 05/01/19)
Survey: California Farmers Turning to Labor-Saving Crops, Automation (Fruit Growers News 05/01/2020)
CFBF: Farms Face Continuing Worker Shortages (Western Farm Press 04/30/19)
Labor-Saving Crops, Automation Drive California Farms, Survey Says (Vegetable Growers News 05/01/20)
Labor Shortages Continue for California Farms (Ag Net West 04/30/19)
Survey: California Farms Face Continuing Employee Shortages (California Farm Bureau Federation News Release 04/30/19)
Why California Farmers Are Having Increasingly Harder Time Finding Workers (Bakersfield 04/30/19)