USApple Board at White House to Discuss Trade, Ag Labor

June 8, 2023 U.S. Apple

The U.S. Apple Association’s Board of Directors met this morning with White House policy staff at the White House to discuss critical issues impacting the apple industry. Sixteen USApple board members from across the country met with Joan Hurst, director for agricultural affairs at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and Kelliann Blazek, special assistant to the president for agriculture and rural policy.

4 Ways to Maintain Food Safety Standards During a Labor Shortage

February 17, 2023 AIB International

Since the onset of the pandemic, labor shortages have rattled the food industry. While employment at food manufacturing facilities increased significantly in 2022, the crippling effects of the workforce gap persist — frontline employees are stretched thin and companies may hire less-experienced temporary labor, significantly augmenting food safety risks.

Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative: Need for Ag Workforce Solutions Remains

December 27, 2022 Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative

Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative, the third-largest dairy cooperative in the country, issued a statement after Congress left any agricultural workforce legislation out of the omnibus spending bill voted on earlier today.

Statement by Jim Bair, President & CEO U.S. Apple Association Re: Unfinished Agriculture Labor Reform

December 26, 2022 U.S. Apple Association

“This week the Senate will adjourn without finishing its work. The House twice passed bipartisan legislation to reform our broken agriculture labor system and the Senate failed to act. A good bill passed the House, and a better one was introduced in the Senate. To get right up to the finish line – but not cross it – is a bitter pill to swallow when the bill would have improved the ag workforce picture by every measure.

USApple Remarks Urging Senate to Pass Labor Reform

November 17, 2022 US Apple Association

The following remarks were made by USApple President & CEO Jim Bair today at a press conference on Capitol Hill. Bair joined other agriculture industry leaders, congressional members and farmers from across the nation urging the Senate to act immediately on labor reform legislation. More than 150 farmers, farm leaders and farm business owners are in Washington, D.C. the next two days meeting with lawmakers urging their support.