Category: Press Release

NCAE Responds to President Trump’s Remarks in State of the Union Address

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NCAE Responds to President Trump’s Remarks in State of the Union Address

Arlington, VA – Tuesday, February 24, 2026 – President Donald J. Trump concluded his first State of the Union of his second term late tonight. During his address, President Trump highlighted the steps taken by the administration to enhance economic prosperity and further secure the Nation.

“We now have the strongest and most secure border in American history by far. In the past 9 months, zero illegal aliens have been admitted to the United States. But we will always allow people to come in legally. People that will love our country and will work hard to maintain our country,” said President Trump, early in his remarks.

“President Trump’s State of the Union once again demonstrated his personal commitment to overcoming our challenge of accessing a legal, reliable workforce to continue producing food right here in America,” stated John Hollay, President and CEO of the National Council of Agricultural Employers. 

“By securing the border,” Hollay added, “the President has taken the steps necessary to ensure Congress can now move expeditiously to give us the workforce we need to ensure our nation’s food security and keep our farming operations in business. NCAE stands ready to work with President Trump and Congress to bring in the legal farm workers we need who love this country and want to help us maintain it, as the President said.”

About the National Council of Agricultural Employers (NCAE)

NCAE is the only national association focusing exclusively on agricultural labor issues from the employer’s perspective. NCAE is the voice of agricultural employers on employment, safety, and labor law issues and is dedicated to providing American farmers and ranchers with the best available information, tools, and advocacy for managing their workforce.

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NCAE Annual Meeting Tackles Urgent Ag Workforce Regulations; Highlights Collaboration with Federal Agencies

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NCAE Annual Meeting Tackles Urgent Ag Workforce Regulations; Highlights Collaboration with Federal Agencies

Arlington, VA — [February 11, 2026] —

 Amidst a rapidly shifting regulatory environment for American agriculture, the National Council of Agricultural Employers (NCAE) is convening its 2026 Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. The three-day event has drawn farmers, ranchers, growers, agents and industry leaders from across the country to address the pressing regulatory complexities with which agricultural employers must contend.  

The conference opened Wednesday with a keynote address from U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden. Secretary Vaden outlined the Trump Administration’s strategic initiatives designed to provide immediate relief to the agricultural sector including Farmer Bridge Assistance Program payments, the importance of specialty crop producers sharing data with USDA, and the need for organizations like NCAE to support the actions taken by the Trump Administration to support the agricultural community, such as the Department of Labor’s Interim Final Rule related to the Adverse Effect Wage Rate. 

“It is vital that organizations like [NCAE] be present in every stage of litigation, whether it be in the trial court, in appellate proceedings to come, and however far it goes…Thank you for putting the resources behind it–it’s really going make a difference that you were there to join with the Department of Labor and the Department of Justice, hand-in-glove with the Department of Agriculture to back up how important this rule is, and to talk about what the prior version of the rule meant to your operations, and how much a difference this new version of the rule will make, how it takes into account the economic reality of the expenses that federal law requires you to pay the legal workers you hire.” 

Wednesday was also punctuated by remarks from U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA-4) and Rep. Jim Costa (CA-21) which highlighted the vital intersection of federal policy and on-the-ground agricultural realities. After hearing from ag industry experts about what potential agricultural workforce reforms might look like, attendees adjourned on Wednesday to march on Capitol Hill to advocate for long-overdue ag workforce reforms. 

Tuesday’s technical sessions provided agricultural executives with critical analysis of the current regulatory framework with which employers must content. The sessions began with “DOL IFR: Where Are We Now?”,  led by legal experts Kristi Boswell of Alston & Bird and Chris Schulte of Fisher Phillips. The session comes on the heels of NCAE’s filing of an amicus curiae brief in support of the Department in United Farm Workers, et al. v. U.S. Department of Labor, a case challenging the Department’s Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR).

The legal analysis was immediately followed by a deep dive into the “Economic Case for IFR,” featuring insights from expert economists, Samantha Ayoub and Dr. Philip Martin with the American Farm Bureau Federation and the University of California, Davis respectively. These sessions underscored the industry’s need for data-driven dialogue and clear regulatory guidance to ensure the sustainability of U.S. farming operations.

“Agricultural employers are facing one of the most complex labor landscapes in recent history, and clarity is essential for our survival,” said John Hollay, President & CEO of NCAE. “We are here in Washington not just to understand these new rules, but to engage directly with the agencies and lawmakers shaping them. Our goal is to foster a collaborative environment where policies support both the workforce and the farmers and growers who feed the nation.”

On Tuesday, attendees also participated in targeted discussions on the current political landscape for the agricultural community, transportation challenges within the H-2A program, and received practical training on effective advocacy from legislative insiders. The day concluded with cross-sector perspectives from agricultural leaders from the dairy, mushroom, and vertical farm and greenhouse industries, providing a holistic approach to the agricultural community’s shared challenges. The day’s programming was further distinguished by remarks from U.S. Representative David Rouzer (NC-7), U.S. Representative Bill Huizenga (MI-4), and U.S. Representative Don Davis (NC-1),  reinforcing the vital dialogue between agricultural employers and Capitol Hill.

About NCAE

Founded in 1964, NCAE is the only national association focusing exclusively on agricultural labor issues from the agricultural employer’s viewpoint. 

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NCAE Files Amicus Brief Supporting DOL’s AEWR Interim Final Rule

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NCAE Files Amicus Brief Supporting DOL’s AEWR Interim Final Rule

Arlington, VA — [February 6, 2026] — The National Council of Agricultural Employers (NCAE) today announced that it has filed an amicus curiae brief in support of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) in United Farm Workers, et al. v. U.S. Department of Labor, a case challenging the Department’s Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) Interim Final Rule (IFR) governing the H‑2A agricultural worker program. The NCAE brief was joined by the California Farm Bureau. 

“For years, agricultural employers were forced to operate under a wage‑setting system that falsely inflated wages due to a broken and outdated methodology,” said John Hollay, President and CEO of the National Council of Agricultural Employers. “The Department of Labor’s interim final rule corrects that failure by restoring a realistic, data‑driven wage system that reflects actual labor‑market conditions while continuing to protect U.S. workers, as the law requires and our members want the court to know why we can’t go back to a system that was bankrupting the American farmer.”

The AEWR IFR, issued in October 2025, modernizes how wages are calculated for H‑2A non‑range agricultural occupations by replacing the discontinued and unreliable USDA Farm Labor Survey with wage data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. The rule also establishes skill‑based wage tiers and accounts for employer‑provided housing, creating a more accurate and transparent framework.

In its brief, NCAE highlighted the how and why the Farm Labor Survey needed to be replaced and the harm that would be brought to farmers, consumers and the economy in general. According to the Department of Labor’s own analysis, correcting the inflated wage calculations produced under the prior system is expected to save agricultural employers approximately $2.46 billion per year — more than $17 billion over ten years — while maintaining the statutory requirement that U.S. workers not be adversely affected.

About NCAE

Founded in 1964, NCAE is the only national association focusing exclusively on agricultural labor issues from the agricultural employer’s viewpoint. 

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NCAE Joins Fight for Farmer Rights in New York State

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NCAE Joins Fight for Farmer Rights in New York State

(Arlington, VA) The National Council of Agricultural Employers (NCAE) has joined a group of New York state farmers in their fight against the Farm Laborers Fair Labor Practices Act (FLFLPA), a law that that strips American farmers and ranchers of their First Amendment rights. NCAE filed a brief amicus curiae supporting New York farmers in the case of New York State Vegetable Growers Association v. James late last week.

“There are few ideals more inherently American than that of our First Amendment rights,” explained Michael Marsh, NCAE’s President and CEO. “Farmers, ranchers, and farmworkers, like all Americans, deserve to enjoy that American right. The FLFLPA strips farmers and farmworkers of their rights in favor of union control. NCAE is proud to join the fight in New York against this outrageous example of overreach.

In the brief, NCAE explained to the Court that, “[h]owever labelled, the end result of the [FLFLPA’s] so-called ‘impasse resolution procedures’ is a total government takeover of the operations of the workplace – hours and breaks, pay and seniority, working conditions, and more – imposed by force of law. It leaves the workers and the employer no flexibility at all because it dictates precisely how long employees must work, how much employees must be paid, and whether employees may engage in constitutionally protected rights of collective action, including whether to replace or oust their bargaining representative.  Outside of times of war or other national emergency, the modern concepts of police power have never been stretched so far as to permit an agency of the State of New York to dictate, at the behest of a union, every term of one employer’s labor-management relationship.”

“Unions are successful,” Marsh continued, “when they are exclusionary—by pushing farmers and farmworkers who do not wish to be a part of their group out of the picture. The FLFLPA makes it easier for unions to accomplish that goal.”

“Particularly perniciously, the FLFLPA includes a union security provision, which requires that farmers fire farmworkers who do not wish to cede portions of their hard-earned paycheck to the union. Forcing farmers to fire farmworkers simply because they refuse to subsidize union speech is violative of those farmers’ and farmworkers’ First Amendment rights. The Supreme Court has long understood and upheld this concept. We are hopeful that the court in New York will agree.”

NCAE is the national trade association focusing on agricultural labor issues from the employer’s viewpoint.

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Exciting News: Federal Officials Announce Their Participation in NCAE’s Ag Labor Forum

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Exciting News: Federal Officials Announce Their Participation in NCAE’s Ag Labor Forum

(Arlington, VA) U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer and U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden have confirmed their participation in the National Council of Agricultural Employers’ 2025 Ag Employer Labor Forum. The Forum takes place this December 3-5th at the beautiful and newly expanded M Resort, just outside Las Vegas, NV.

“We are incredibly proud that the regulatory community understands how critical it is to have their participation at this event,” shared Michael Marsh, NCAE’s President and CEO. “America’s farmers and ranchers deserve an engaged community of regulators and policy makers, and we are thrilled to provide this opportunity to our Labor Forum attendees so they can do just that.”

NCAE recently released a blockbuster lineup for the 2025 Labor Forum, reflecting the Council’s fervent commitment to providing members and the wider farming and ranching community with cutting-edge knowledge and resources so that they can make the best business decisions to sustain their agricultural operations, American agriculture, and family farms and ranches for generations to come.

“We are excited,” noted Marsh, “to join with our members and America’s great agricultural community to delve into and discuss the things many employers need to know to protect and keep their farms and ranches successful for this generation and generations we hope to follow. This event has become a cornerstone for America’s agricultural employers, and with all the activity in the community over the past few months, engagement at this event has never been more important.”

“This year’s Forum features a compelling range of topics that have America’s agricultural community excited,” noted Marsh. “Attendees will enjoy our engaging expert sessions and speakers who will guide the audience through deep depths while they examine a wide breadth of agricultural topics.”

This Forum offers an incredible diversity of ag labor leaders and legal experts to unpack the complex regulatory and legislative web in which agricultural employers find themselves.

Day One is all about action: Attendees will learn what’s next for ag employers and how to effectively fight for a brighter future. The essential session, “Canaries in the Coal Mine,” moderated by Ryan Ayres (Director of Human Resources for FirstFruits Farms), features agricultural leaders discussing challenges agricultural employers are experiencing at the hands of out-of-control state governments. Then, Joel Anderson (NCAE Executive Committee Chairman and owner of Anderson Immigration Law) hosts the fireside chat, “Going on Offense,” with Kimberly Hermann (President of Southeastern Legal Foundation) to map out a proactive litigation strategy for farmers and ranchers.

NCAE’s marquee session, “Eye of the Storm,” will take place on Day Two of the Forum. This session will examine the Department of Labor’s recently announced Interim Final Rule (IFR).

This marquee session will bring together a panel with national expertise and insights, including Jamie Fussell (Director of Labor Relations at Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association), Alexandra E. Hill (Assistant Professor at University of California, Berkeley), Chris Schulte Partner at Fisher Phillps), Phil Martin (Professor Emeritus of Agricultural and Resource Economics at University of California, Davis), Samantha Ayoub (Economist at American Farm Bureau Federation), and Shawn Packer (Partner at JPH Law).

Together, the panel of agricultural experts will dissect the impact of the Department of Labor’s (DOL) Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) Interim Final Rule (IFR) and provide their thoughts about what the future holds for the IFR and American agriculture. The IFR, published on October 2, 2025, modifies the methodology used to calculate the AEWR. The Department estimated the new methodology will save American farmers and ranchers $2.46 billion and $17.29 billion over 10 years.

Later that afternoon, attendees will have the option to choose between a variety of engaging breakout sessions that touch on an incredible breadth of topics. Forum sessions include an interactive H-2A compliance workshop, a facilitated discussion focused on taking charge of the agricultural narrative, an examination of the challenges and opportunities that artificial intelligence (AI) present for the agricultural industry, an H-2A Tax Clinic, sessions on best practices and advanced strategies for ag employers, and much, much more.

Attendees of these stimulating sessions, along with many others throughout the Forum, are eligible to receive continuing education credit from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).

The blockbuster event will conclude with insights and remarks from even more blockbuster speakers. On the third and final day of the Forum, attendees will have the opportunity to interact with representatives from the federal agencies involved in regulating the agricultural community.

As mentioned above, NCAE’s Labor Forum will proudly host two high-ranking officials representing the Trump Administration. U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer recently confirmed her participation in this critical event. U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden will engage with attendees to deliver essential updates and insights that are shaping the future of America’s farming and ranching community.

Likewise, attendees will have the opportunity to have their questions answered by a wide and varied array of representatives with extensive H-2A insights. Dan Armenise, a Policy Advisor with the Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs, and team members from Mission Mexico, will engage in an interactive discussion with agricultural employers about State’s role in the H-2A program and what farmers and ranchers can do to facilitate smoother processing. Ruben Rosalez, the Western Region Administrator for Wage and Hour, will also participate.

“With all the ongoing activity in the agricultural labor space,” noted Marsh, “this year’s Forum is a must-attend event.”

Ag Employer Labor PAC – Cultivating Agricultural Champions:

The Ag Employer Labor PAC will host a dinner on December 2, 2025, the evening prior to the start of the NCAE Ag Employer Labor Forum. The PAC aims to grow and cultivate relationships with Members of Congress interested in championing the agricultural community.

Attendees will enjoy a private, upscale, donors-only dinner at Hostile Grape, the luxurious and excusive wine cellar at the M Resort accompanied by wonderful wine, delicious food, live music, spectacular surprises, and a special guest speaker who is sure to enthrall, engage and expand the horizons for all who attend.  This year, attendees will also have a chance to win an exciting array of prizes including an overnight stay, golf, and dinner at a luxurious location and a once-in-a-lifetime chance to ring the cowbell to start the Forum.

The PAC dinner will is held and ticketed separately from the Labor Forum. Attendees of the Forum are encouraged to consider whether they might wish to take part in this exclusive and entertaining evening focused on improving the outlook for ag employers nationwide and cultivating champions for ag labor issues in the Congress.

Individuals may indicate their interest by accessing the PAC Dinner registration page. 

Contributions to the Ag Employer Labor PAC are non-deductible for income tax purposes and may not include contributions made by nor on behalf of a corporation.

Forum Registration & Room Block:

To secure your spot at the Forum and take advantage of discounted room rates at the M Resort, visit NCAE’s Labor Forum registration page today.

About NCAE:

NCAE is the national trade association focusing on agricultural labor issues from the employer’s viewpoint.

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NCAE Releases Blockbuster Agenda for 2025 Forum

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NCAE Releases Blockbuster Agenda for 2025 Forum

(Arlington, VA) The National Council of Agricultural Employers (NCAE) released a blockbuster agenda for the highly anticipated Ag Employer Labor Forum taking place this December 3-5, 2025. This year’s Forum will be held at the magnificent and newly expanded M Resort just outside of Las Vegas, Nevada.

NCAE’s Labor Forum is the premier event for ag employers nationwide, where farmers, ranchers, ag labor leaders and others in the agricultural community convene to learn, develop, and advance a shared vision for a resilient and successful U.S. food system that will allow America’s farm and ranch families to do what they do best—grow food and fiber to feed and clothe America and the world.

“Attendees at this year’s Labor Forum have an incredible opportunity to learn from key agricultural leaders, engage with economic experts, and to work together alongside some of the best legal and legislative minds to help shape the future of ag labor in the United States,” stated NCAE President and CEO, Michael Marsh. “We are proud to present a spectacular selection of stimulating and provocative speakers who will discuss timely topics for employers and those involved in ag labor.”

“NCAE is proud to reveal our agenda for the 2025 Forum,” continued Marsh. “This agenda reflects the Council’s commitment to providing our members and the wider farming and ranching community with cutting-edge knowledge and resources so that they can make the best business decisions to sustain their agricultural operations, American agriculture, and family farms and ranches for generations to come. It has never been more important for farmers and ranchers to engage in these important topics so that they can protect themselves, their farms, and their critical farmworkers.”

This year’s Forum features a compelling range of topics that takes the pivotal moment facing American agriculture on by the proverbial horns. Attendees will enjoy engaging sessions hosted by expert economists who will examine the outlook for Farm Labor in 2026 and the impacts of farmworker overtime.

Likewise, attendees will have opportunities to engage with legislative leaders and ag labor icons who will delve deeply into the topics that farmers and ranchers need to know for upcoming seasons. Among many, many other sessions, attendees will enjoy engaging sessions featuring Business Succession Strategies, Strategic Litigation Strategies for American agriculture, and NCAE’s special “Eye of the Storm” session during which economists, thought leaders and legal experts will unpack what the Department of Labor’s recently announced Interim Final Rule (IFR) has in store for the agricultural community.

Similarly, NCAE’s hit concurrent breakout sessions are back again this year with a captivating list of topics. Attendees have the opportunity choose from a diverse range of activities and sessions such as an interactive H-2A compliance workshop, a facilitated discussion focused on taking charge of the agricultural narrative, an examination of the challenges and opportunities that artificial intelligence (AI) present for the agricultural industry, an H-2A Tax Clinic, sessions on best practices and advanced strategies for ag employers, and much, much more.

Attendees of these stimulating sessions, along with many others throughout the Forum, are eligible to receive continuing education credit from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).

“With all the ongoing activity and recent wins for employers in the agricultural labor space,” noted Marsh, “this year’s Forum is a must-attend event.”

The full agenda and registration details are available at:  https://www.ncaeonline.org/events/ag-employer-labor-forum/

Sponsorship Opportunities:

NCAE is excited to offer a variety of sponsorship opportunities for organizations looking to showcase their fervent support of America’s agricultural community, gain exposure among leaders of the  agricultural industry, and connect with the hundreds of in-person ag employers, agents, attorneys and others at who will attend this year’s Forum.

“Last year,” noted Marsh, “NCAE was thrilled to receive record interest in our trade show, resulting in a completely sold-out exhibition space and an extended trade show floor. We are on trend to do so again for 2025. NCAE’s Labor Forum trade show is an incredible opportunity for those interested in connecting and networking with hundreds of attendees and critical organizational decisionmakers.”

While space is increasingly limited, sponsorships remain available for all who wish to engage in this important event at every level. Space in the main trade show area is expected to sell out. Sponsors who are interested in increasing their level to secure an earlier chance at choosing their booth are encouraged to contact NCAE immediately.

Interested parties are encouraged to contact Susan Lester, [email protected], for sponsorship details.

Ag Employer Labor PAC – Cultivating Agricultural Champions:

The Ag Employer Labor PAC will host a dinner on December 2, 2025, the evening prior to the start of the NCAE Ag Employer Labor Forum. The PAC aims to grow and cultivate relationships with Members of Congress interested in championing the agricultural community.

Attendees will enjoy a private, upscale, donors-only dinner at Hostile Grape, the luxurious and exclusive wine cellar at the M Resort accompanied by wonderful wine, delicious food, live music, spectacular surprises, and a special guest speaker who is sure to enthrall, engage and expand the horizons for all who attend.  This year, attendees will also have a chance to win an exciting array of prizes including an overnight stay, golf, and dinner at a luxurious location and a once-in-a-lifetime chance to ring the cowbell to start the Forum.

The PAC dinner will is held and ticketed separately from the Labor Forum. Attendees of the Forum are encouraged to consider whether they might wish to take part in this exclusive and entertaining evening focused on improving the outlook for ag employers nationwide and cultivating champions for ag labor issues in the Congress.

Individuals may indicate their interest by accessing the PAC Dinner registration page.  Contributions to the Ag Employer Labor PAC are non-deductible for income tax purposes and may not include contributions made by nor on behalf of a corporation.

Forum Registration & Room Block:

NCAE’s 2025 Labor Forum will be hosted at the magnificent and newly expanded M Resort located just outside of Las Vegas, NV. NCAE members and attendees of the Forum are invited to join NCAE’s discounted room block at the M Resort which will close on November 17, 2025, or once the room block is full. We expect the room block to sell out well in advance. To secure your spot at the Forum and take advantage of discounted room rates at the M Resort, visit NCAE’s Labor Forum registration page today.

About NCAE:

NCAE is the national trade association focusing on agricultural labor issues from the employer’s viewpoint.

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Experts To Lead “Eye of the Storm” Marquee Session Investigating DOL’s Interim Final Rule at NCAE’s 2025 Ag Labor Forum

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Experts To Lead “Eye of the Storm” Marquee Session Investigating DOL’s Interim Final Rule at NCAE’s 2025 Ag Labor Forum

(Arlington, VA) The National Council of Agricultural Employers is excited to announce the lineup of thought leaders, engaging economists, and ag labor legal experts for its highly anticipated Marquee Session, “Eye of the Storm: Investigating the IFR for American Ag,” scheduled for December 4th at the Council’s Ag Employer Labor Forum. The Forum takes place this December 3-5th at the M Resort, just outside Las Vegas, NV.

This marquee session will bring together a panel with national expertise and insights, including:

  • Moderator: Jamie Fussell, Director of Labor Relations – Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association
  • Alexandra E. Hill, Ph.D., Assistant Professor – University of California, Berkeley
  • Chris Schulte, Partner – Fisher Phillps
  • Phil Martin, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of Agricultural and Resource Economics – University of California, Davis
  • Shawn Packer, Partner – JPH Law

Together, the panel of agricultural experts will unpack the impact of the Department of Labor’s (DOL) Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) Interim Final Rule (IFR) and their thoughts about what the future holds for the IFR and American agriculture. The IFR, published on October 2, 2025, modifies the methodology used to calculate the AEWR. The Department estimated the new methodology will save American farmers and ranchers $2.46 billion in its first year of implementation and $17.29 billion over 10 years.

“In many ways,” explained Michael Marsh, NCAE’s President and CEO, “farmers and ranchers are currently in the proverbial eye of the storm when it comes to the future of their farming operations. For years, America’s farm and ranch families have had to contend with artificial, out-of-control mandated wage rates that were manufactured by regulatory maladministration and disconnected from the market. For years, NCAE has fought to end this regulatory recklessness that caused increasing numbers of farmers and ranchers to shutter legacy operations, sell farmland, and offshore production.”

“While the IFR has provided much of the agricultural community overdue relief from out-of-control Adverse Effect Wage Rates, we know the storm has yet to pass and the fight for regulatory relief in rural America is far from over. NCAE hosted our largest-ever members-only H-2A Committee Call following the publication of the IFR —questions about how the IFR works and what it may mean for the future of American agriculture are top-of-mind for the entire agricultural community.”

“NCAE is excited to host a great group of economists, legal experts and agricultural thought leaders who will lead attendees through a deep dive of the IFR, the IFR’s possible future challenges, and what this new regulation may mean for their farm and America’s farming future,” proclaimed Marsh. “This marquee session stands out as a must-attend conversation for agricultural professionals who are eager to stay ahead and peek around the corner at the future for American agriculture. Together, we will prepare to weather the regulatory storms which will follow.”

Along with the panel discussion on the IFR, NCAE has developed exciting new programming for the 2025 Forum tailored to the needs of and suited for all farmers and ranchers, office managers, personnel managers, service providers, farm labor contractors, agricultural agents, attorneys, and other stakeholders interested in agricultural labor.

This year’s speakers will expound upon a diverse range of topics during its general sessions and special breakout sessions. Topics include litigation strategy for agricultural employers, employer best practices for encountering domestic enforcement, must-knows for Farm Labor Contractors, an interactive compliance workshop, a clinic on H-2A taxes, a review of out-of-control state regulations, and much more.

Attendees of these stimulating sessions, along with many others throughout the Forum, are eligible to receive continuing education credit from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).

“This has been a big year for America’s agricultural community and NCAE is excited to host attendees from coast-to-coast to unpack, review, and see what might be in store for farmers and ranchers in 2026 and beyond. This is shaping up to be the most impactful Ag Employer Labor Forum yet,” said Michael Marsh, President and CEO of NCAE. “We are excited for the new engaging activities we have in store and are delighted to extend a discounted room rate in the NCAE room block to our members and members of the broader agricultural community.”  

Registration Rates:

  • Member: $495
  •  Non-Member: $600

Sponsorship Opportunities:

NCAE is excited to offer a variety of sponsorship opportunities for organizations looking to support the agricultural community, gain exposure among leaders of the agricultural industry, and connect with the hundreds of in-person ag employers, agents, attorneys and others who will attend this year’s Forum.

“Last year,” noted Marsh, “NCAE was thrilled to receive record interest in our trade show, resulting in a completely sold-out exhibition space and an extended trade show floor, which also sold-out. Don’t delay if you want to be a part of this incredible event which reaches hundreds of attendees and top-level decision-makers.”

“This year, we are excited to offer a new tier of sponsorship for ag community leaders who wish to make a palpable impact on the shape of the 2025 Forum,” explained Susan Lester, NCAE Manager of Association Services. “Our esteemed Event Hosts will receive special recognition, a premium-sized booth, and promotional thanks prior to and at the Forum. This sponsorship level is limited to one Host per day. Only one Host package remains. Do not delay in securing your spot as a key ag labor leader today.”

Interested parties are encouraged to contact Susan Lester, [email protected], for sponsorship details.

Ag Employer Labor PAC – Cultivating Agricultural Champions:

The Ag Employer Labor PAC will host a fundraising dinner on December 2, 2025, the evening prior to the start of the Ag Employer Labor Forum. The PAC aims to grow and cultivate relationships with Members of Congress interested in championing the ag employer issues.

Attendees will enjoy a private, upscale, donors-only dinner in the Wine Cellar at the M Resort accompanied by great wine, delicious food, live music and a special guest speaker who is sure to enthrall, engage and expand the horizons for all who attend. This year, attendees will also have a chance to win an exciting array of prizes including an overnight stay, golf, and dinner at a luxurious location, $100 from Michael Marsh’s personal pocket, and a once-in-a-lifetime chance to ring the cowbell to start the Forum.

The PAC dinner will be held and ticketed separately from the Labor Forum. Attendees of the Forum are encouraged to consider whether they can afford to miss out on this exclusive and entertaining evening focused on improving the outlook for ag employers nationwide and cultivating Congressional champions for ag labor issues.

Individuals may indicate their interest in further communication about this event on the Labor Forum registration portal or by visiting the PAC registration page. Contributions to the Ag Employer Labor PAC are non-deductible for income tax purposes and may not include contributions made by nor on behalf of a corporation.

Forum Registration & Room Block:

Interested participants and attendees are encouraged to visit NCAE’s Labor Forum registration page today.

NCAE’s discounted room block at the M Resort will close on November 17, 2025, or once the room block is full. We expect the room block to sell out well in advance.

About NCAE:

NCAE is the national trade association focusing solely on agricultural labor issues from the employer’s viewpoint.

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John Hollay to lead National Council of Agricultural Employers

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John Hollay to lead National Council of Agricultural Employers

(Arlington, VA) Joel Anderson, owner of Anderson Immigration Law and chairman of the National Council of Agricultural Employers’ (NCAE) Executive Committee announced today that following an exhaustive national search, the Executive Committee of NCAE has selected John Hollay as the organization’s new President and Chief Executive Officer. He will replace Michael Marsh, the retiring executive who has led NCAE since 2017. Hollay will assume the role on January 1st, 2026.

John joins NCAE after serving in the role of Director, Government Relations, of the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) after serving in the same role with IFPA’s predecessor United Fresh. John previously served as Vice President of Government Relations with National Milk Producers Federation after working on Capitol Hill with Representative Joseph Courtney. Hollay also served on the Board of Directors for NCAE. John is a graduate of the University of Connecticut.

“The Selection Committee faced the daunting task of finding the right candidate to carry the torch following Michael’s leadership – to build on the momentum NCAE has generated; someone to lead the organization forward,” noted Anderson. “The Council’s position attracted a tremendous group of candidates from all over the country. After interviewing a group of top tier candidates, the Selection Committee agreed that John possesses the necessary experience, qualities, and talents to carry NCAE forward. John will help the Council as we continue our mission in agricultural labor, supporting the world’s greatest food producers.”

NCAE Vice Chairman Ryan Ayres, Director of Human Resources for FirstFruits Farms commented, “the Selection Committee recognized that, in order to best orient the Council for success in the future, we need a leader who has a strong reputation, willingness to work collaboratively and ability to communicate effectively the needs of America’s farmers and ranchers to those decisionmakers in Washington, D.C. John fit that bill.”

“I am honored that the Executive Committee selected me to work with the Council,” said Hollay. “We are at an exciting moment for American agriculture with the opportunity for regulatory and legislative reform. Much more is needed so that American farmers and ranchers can stay competitive in markets at home and abroad. I am excited to step into this role and work alongside such a passionate and dedicated agricultural community. Together, we will cultivate a stronger future.”

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Reality Check: NCAE, Agricultural Community Celebrates as Agricultural Wages Reined in Toward Reality

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Reality Check: NCAE, Agricultural Community Celebrates as Agricultural Wages Reined in Toward Reality

(Arlington, VA) The National Council of Agricultural Employers (NCAE), its members, and the agricultural community nationwide are celebrating a recent announcement from the Department of Labor (DOL) that it will provide much-needed relief to America’s farmers and ranchers. In an Interim Final Rule previewed earlier today, DOL announced that it will take action to rein in agricultural wages, to try and bring them back toward reality.

“For years,” explained Michael Marsh, NCAE’s President and CEO, “federal bureaucrats held a regulatory gun to America’s farm and ranch families’ heads, forcing them to pay an escalating, imaginary wage for farm jobs. These wages were untethered to reality or the market. Likewise, for years, NCAE has fought nonstop against mandated wage rates disconnected from the market and worked to have the Department put an end to this bureaucratic nightmare.”

“After undergoing years of regulatory abuse, often influenced by anti-American farmer activists, the agricultural community is grateful to Secretary Chavez-DeRemer, Deputy Secretary Sonderling, Secretary Rollins, Deputy Secretary Vaden, and the leadership at DOL and USDA for doing what it takes to put America’s farm and ranch families first. Their swift action and attention to the calls for action from the American agricultural community will result in an estimated $2.4 billion dollars returned to family farmers’ and ranchers’ pockets.”

“Farm and ranch families are undergoing a crisis, largely due to out-of-control wage rates, putting family farms, U.S. production, and rural America at risk. At a time where the number of farms is plummeting and the U.S. production is fleeing to our foreign competition, this IFR is a welcome change which we hope to start to turn that tide. Returning control over wages to the market rather than to a bureaucrat’s whimsy gives America’s farmers and ranchers a real chance to compete on the market against foreign competitors.”

In the IFR, DOL explains that “[t]here is ample data showing immediate dangers to the American food supply,” caused by these inherently inflationary wages, which posed, “an imminent risk to the supply of agricultural labor by setting unreasonably high price floors on labor.” This IFR works to address these threats to American agriculture by implementing a methodology it believes results in more “precise market-based price floors that still serves its statutory function of protecting American workers, but also, ensures that American supermarkets and U.S. consumers will have access to safe, affordable and American-grown produce.”

DOL’s IFR comes just weeks after the Department’s 2023 AEWR suffered a long list of legal challenges and losses, including a challenge involving NCAE. These litigation efforts were instrumental in dismantling this wrongheaded regulation. The final death knell for the 2023 rule came when a federal court in Louisiana vacated the DOL’s 2023 Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) Methodology rule which incorporated wage data from the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) to set wages for non-range agricultural occupations. DOL subsequently released an announcement that essentially scales the wage rate to a 2010 regulation that defaulted to use of the Farm Labor Survey (FLS) for establishing wage rates. Following that announcement, USDA made the determination to discontinue surveys, reducing paperwork burden, and further administration of the FLS program. USDA’s decision created a regulatory vacuum which this IFR attempts to fill.

The IFR provides farmers and ranchers with a new wage mechanism which agricultural employers are required to pay. The new wage rates rely solely on the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics as the source for wages for each state. Under this new rubric, employers are also granted downward compensation adjustments to the applicable AEWRs which employers can apply on wages paid to H-2A workers who receive free housing.

“According to the USDA’s most recent Census of Agriculture from 2022,” noted Marsh, “America lost 140,000 farms and ranches in the five years from 2017 to 2022. At the same time the nation fallowed more than 20 million acres. Already, too many family farms and ranches have been forced to sell farmland, offshore production or otherwise stop operations altogether. A chief reason for this crisis that has crippled rural America has been the exploding, unrealistic cost of labor. The agricultural community is grateful for the Trump administration’s attention to the community’s urgent call for help. With wage rates reined in back toward reality, we are hopeful that America’s family farmers and ranchers can get back to doing what they do best, feeding America and the world. This is an incredible moment for American agriculture.”

NCAE recently announced a special panel, “Eye of the Storm: Investigating the IFR for American Ag,” which the Council will host at the upcoming 2025 Ag Employer Labor Forum, taking place December 3-5 at the M Resort in Las Vegas. Agricultural economists and regulatory experts will unpack what the changes contained in the IFR mean for America’s agricultural community. Members of NCAE and members of the agricultural community at-large are encouraged to register to attend this exciting panel discussion.

“Our members and the agricultural community at-large are excited by the opportunity for much overdue relief from out-of-control Adverse Effect Wage Rates,” stated Marsh. “This is a pivotal moment for the agricultural community – one that could make or break the future for many of America’s farm and ranch families for generations to come. We are excited to unpack this critical rule and so much more with our attendees in Las Vegas.”

NCAE is the national trade association focusing on agricultural labor issues from the employer’s viewpoint.

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NCAE Announces “Eye of the Storm” Panel Investigating Interim Final Rule at 2025 Ag Labor Forum

| Press Release, Uncategorized

 

NCAE Announces “Eye of the Storm” Panel Investigating Interim Final Rule at 2025 Ag Labor Forum

(Arlington, VA) What does the future hold for the agricultural community? Are the best days of American agriculture behind us or ahead? What wages must workers be paid? Can we reboot American ag producer prosperity? Can we halt manufactured wages driving the closure of farms and ranches? Can American agriculture again compete in the modern market?

Answers to these questions and many, many more will be investigated and answered at the 2025 Ag Employer Labor Forum hosted by the National Council of Agricultural Employers (NCAE). The 2025 Labor Forum will take place December 3-5th at the beautiful M Resort just outside Las Vegas, NV.
NCAE announced earlier today that it will host a special session, “Eye of the Storm: Investigating the IFR for American Ag,” during which economists, thought leaders and legal experts will unpack what the Department of Labor’s recently announced Interim Final Rule (IFR) has in store for the agricultural community. The IFR is currently on track to be published prior to the start of NCAE’s Labor Forum.

“Our members and the agricultural community at-large are excited by the potential for much overdue relief from out-of-control Adverse Effect Wage Rates,” stated Michael Marsh, NCAE’s President and CEO. “America’s farm and ranch families must have relief. This is a pivotal moment for the agricultural community – one that could make or break the future for many of America’s farm and ranch families for generations to come. NCAE has been fighting nonstop against mandated wage rates disconnected from the market and expects the new regulation to be issued prior to the start of the 2025 Forum. We are excited to unpack this critical rule and so much more with our attendees in Las Vegas.”

Along with the panel discussion on the IFR, NCAE has developed exciting new programming for the 2025 Forum tailored to the needs of and suited for all farmers and ranchers, office managers, personnel managers, service providers, agricultural agents, attorneys and other stakeholders interested in agricultural labor.
This year’s speakers will expound upon a diverse range of topics during its general sessions and special breakout sessions. Topics include an economic outlook for US Farm Labor in 2026, hot legal topics in ag labor, litigation strategy for agricultural employers, must-knows for Farm Labor Contractors, a compliance workshop, a clinic on H-2A taxes, best practices for ag labor in the domestic enforcement era, and much more.

Attendees of these stimulating sessions, along with many others throughout the Forum, are eligible to receive continuing education credit from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).

“It has been a big year for America’s farmers and ranchers. American agriculture, and particularly agricultural labor, were under the political spotlight in 2025. Likewise, the 2025 Ag Employer Labor Forum is shaping up to be the biggest and best yet and will sell out once again,” said Michael Marsh, President and CEO of NCAE. “We are excited for the new engaging activities we have in store and are delighted to extend early bird pricing and a discounted room rate in the NCAE room block to our members and members of the broader agricultural community.”

Early Bird Registration Rates:
· Member: $455
· Non-Member: $560

Sponsorship Opportunities:
NCAE is excited to offer a variety of sponsorship opportunities for organizations looking to support the agricultural community, gain exposure among leaders of the agricultural industry, and connect with the hundreds of in-person ag employers, agents, attorneys and others who will attend this year’s Forum.

“Last year,” noted Marsh, “NCAE was thrilled to receive record interest in our trade show, resulting in a completely sold-out exhibition space and an extended trade show floor, which also sold-out. Don’t delay if you want to be a part of this incredible event which reaches hundreds of attendees and top-level decision-makers.”

About NCAE:

NCAE is the national trade association focusing on agricultural labor issues from the employer’s viewpoint.

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