New York farmers to benefit from USDA grant program

By Blake Jackson

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has unveiled a $65 million grant program aimed at assisting agricultural employers grappling with labor shortages and shifting labor regulations. These changes are especially pertinent for New York farmers and farmworkers.

The Fair Labor Stabilization and Protection Pilot Program, funded by the American Rescue Plan, is designed to bolster legal migration routes for workers through the H-2A program. The USDA, led by Secretary Tom Vilsack, views this initiative as a response to the challenges plaguing the agriculture workforce, which threaten food system resilience, abundance, safety, and overall economic stability.

The program's core objectives are twofold: to benefit both workers and employers and to potentially influence the H-2A program while raising labor standards for farmworkers. Furthermore, it aims to create a safer working environment by ensuring that laborers are aware of their rights and available resources.

Agricultural employers are eligible to apply for grants ranging from $25,000 to $2 million, with the grant amount depending on the projected number of full-time employees.

This funding arrives ahead of impending labor regulation changes in New York. In February, an agreement was finalized to reduce overtime hours for farmworkers from 60 to 40 hours over the next decade, with the threshold dropping to 56 hours in January 2024. This move has sparked concerns among the farming community, with the New York Farm Bureau expressing apprehension.

While acknowledging the need for agricultural labor reform, the Farm Bureau has called for collaboration between USDA and federal authorities to fortify the agricultural workforce. It's essential to strike a balance between labor mandates and the potential adverse effects on job opportunities for potential employees or guest workers.

The New York Department of Agriculture and Markets has voiced support for the USDA program, emphasizing the importance of addressing workforce challenges faced by farmers in the state. They see the USDA's initiative as a positive step forward.

In related efforts, the New York Department of Agriculture and Markets recently issued a request for information from stakeholders to shape an agricultural workforce development program. This program aims to establish clear pathways for jobseekers, connecting them to high-quality employment opportunities in the agricultural and food sectors, thus strengthening the food supply chain and retaining agricultural workers.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul is committed to building a robust agricultural pipeline and fostering connections between young people in agriculture and New York communities. State Agriculture Commissioner Richard Ball echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of these initiatives in ensuring a resilient and interconnected agricultural sector.

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