Tag: education

NCAE Briefing Bridges Gap Between Farm Realities and Capitol Hill in Agricultural Labor Briefing

| Articles, News, Press Release, Uncategorized

NCAE Briefing Bridges Gap Between Farm Realities and Capitol Hill in Agricultural Labor Briefing

Yesterday, June 2, 2026, the National Council of Agricultural Employers (NCAE) successfully hosted a special educational webinar titled “Fields, Farms, and the Hill: A Congressional Briefing on the State of Ag Labor.” The interactive webinar, co-hosted by Representative Dan Newhouse (WA-04) and Representative Donald G. Davis (NC-01), aimed to arm congressional staffers, agricultural leaders, and stakeholders with vital insights into the H-2A Temporary Agricultural Visa Program.

Led by Tom Bortnyk, Senior Vice President and General Counsel of másLabor, and moderated by NCAE President and CEO John Hollay, the session provided a deep dive into the practical administration of the program. A key focus of the discussion highlighted the common, real-world issues and complex casework challenges currently experienced by farmers and ranchers across the nation who rely on the H-2A program to sustain their operations.

“Effective policy does not evolve in a vacuum,” said John Hollay, NCAE’s President and CEO. “This briefing was a vital opportunity to connect Washington decision-makers and staffers with the actual terrain of American agriculture. By opening this direct line of communication with congressional offices, we are ensuring that future legislative and oversight efforts are grounded in the real-world experiences of agricultural employers.”

In addition to addressing day-to-day farm workforce realities, the briefing tackled the shifting regulatory landscape, including the Department of Labor’s Interim Final Rule and how congressional offices can best handle constituent inquiries.

Access the Webinar Recording

For those who were unable to attend the live event, a recording of the presentation is now available for Congressional staffers, agricultural policy advisors, NCAE membership, and the general public.

  • Watch the Recap: You can view the full webinar recording on YouTube by filling out a brief form here: ncaeonline.org/resources/webinars/.
  • Additional Resources: For more updates and information regarding agricultural labor advocacy, visit the NCAE website at ncaeonline.org.

About NCAE

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

Download Article

NCAE to Co-Host H-2A Visa Program Briefing for Congressional Staff

| Articles, Events, News, Press Release, Uncategorized

NCAE to Co-Host H-2A Visa Program Briefing for Congressional Staff

“Fields, Farms, and the Hill: 

A Congressional Briefing on the State of Ag Labor”

The National Council of Agricultural Employers (NCAE) is pleased to announce a special installment of its educational webinar series which will arm congressional staffers with the critical information they need to know about the H-2A Temporary Agricultural Visa Program and current casework challenges that farmers and workers are experiencing.

On Tuesday June 2, 2026, from 1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m. Eastern, NCAE will host “Fields, Farms, and the Hill: A Congressional Briefing on the State of Ag Labor.” The webinar will be co-hosted by Representative Dan Newhouse (WA-04) and Representative Donald G. Davis (NC-01).  The interactive webinar will be led by Tom Bortnyk, Senior Vice President and General Counsel of másLabor and moderated by John Hollay, NCAE’s President and CEO. Tom will walk staffers through all aspects of the program, challenges offices are facing regarding constituent casework, the Department of Labor’s Interim Final Rule, and how staffers can best be prepared to handle legislative inquiries from agricultural employers.

“The H-2A program is a lifeline for America’s farmers and ranchers, providing the essential legal workforce necessary to sustain our agricultural operations and secure our national food supply,” said Hollay. “Because agricultural labor policy is heavily regulated and increasingly complex, it is imperative that congressional staffers understand the day-to-day intricacies of this program. Staffers are often the first point of contact for constituent casework and play a crucial role in shaping policy. Their active engagement and deep understanding of the H-2A program are vital to fostering a system that truly works for agricultural employers and the communities they support.”

As the agricultural sector continues to face unprecedented workforce challenges and shifting regulatory landscapes, this briefing aims to bridge the gap between the realities on the farm and the policy discussions happening on Capitol Hill.

The webinar will begin at 1:00 PM ET/10:00 AM PT on Thursday, June 2, 2026. This briefing is open to all congressional staff. Recordings of the webinar presentation will be available to agricultural policy advisors, and key stakeholders interested in the future of agricultural labor upon the conclusion of the webinar. Additional information, including registration details, is available on the NCAE website at ncaeonline.org.

About NCAE

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

Download Article

NCAE Responds to Order Denying Preliminary Injunction

| Articles, News, Press Release, Uncategorized

NCAE Responds to Order Denying Preliminary Injunction

Arlington, VA – Thursday, May 14, 2026

The U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of California has released an order denying the United Farm Workers’ request for Preliminary Injunction in the litigation against the Department of Labor (DOL) on the DOL Interim Final Rule. In the order, the Judge found that the UFW failed to demonstrate irreparable harm, and thus denied their request for preliminary injunction to halt the enforcement of the rule. The Interim Final Rule stands in effect as a result.

“We applaud the Court’s decision to deny the UFW’s request for preliminary injunction on the Department’s AEWR Interim Final Rule,” said John Hollay, NCAE’s President and CEO. “For too long, employers have been forced to pay wages that were detached from economic reality and put American agriculture at strategic disadvantage on the international market. That is why NCAE, with the support of the California Farm Bureau Federation, filed an Amicus Brief in support of the Trump Administration. The DOL IFR levels the playing field for America’s farmers, ranchers and growers. We are deeply appreciative that the Court in California denied this motion which would have wreaked havoc on H-2A employers during a busy growing season.”

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.

Download Article

NCAE to Host “Preventing Paperwork Pitfalls: Essential I-9 Compliance for Agricultural Employers”

| Articles, News, Press Release, Uncategorized

NCAE to Host “Preventing Paperwork Pitfalls: Essential I-9 Compliance for Agricultural Employers”

Arlington, VA – Tuesday, April 28, 2026

The National Council of Agricultural Employers (NCAE) is pleased to announce a new educational webinar, “Preventing Paperwork Pitfalls: Essential I-9 Compliance for Agricultural Employers.” This event is designed to equip agricultural employers with the essential knowledge and practical tools needed for I-9 compliance so they can avoid common pitfalls and implement best practices for their agricultural operation.

“Properly filling out and maintaining I-9 forms is a critical compliance area for all agricultural employers, yet it remains a common source of audits and penalties,” said John Hollay, NCAE’s President and CEO. “We are thrilled to pair together expert legal acumen with day-to-day operational know-how to help our members confidently navigate these requirements.”

The interactive webinar will be led by Ryan Ayres of FirstFruits Farms and Cynthia Yarbrough of Fisher Phillips. John Hollay will facilitate the discussion. The webinar will take place on May 14th from 2:00 to 2:30 PM ET.

Ryan is the Director of Human Resources for the largest Opal apple grower, FirstFruits Farms, and the owner of Desert Management Services, providing growers with assistance and guidance for each step of the H-2A process.  Ryan has served in various consulting, accounting, and human resource leadership roles over the past 20 years and currently serves as NCAE’s H-2A Committee Chairman and Executive Committee Vice Chairman.

Cynthia is an Immigration partner in the Fisher Phillips Atlanta office and a member of the firm’s Immigration Practice Group. Her practice focuses on business immigration, representing domestic and multinational employers before the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) and the U.S. Department of State.

This webinar is announced following a recent update from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that lowered the threshold and increased fines on common I-9 infractions. With penalties now ranging from $288 to $2,861 per violation, agricultural employers must be more vigilant than ever. Under this new penalty system, seemingly minor administrative oversights are now classified as substantive errors that can trigger severe financial consequences.

Participants will be eligible to receive a half (.5) Professional Development Credit from the Society for Human Resource Management upon completion of the webinar. Additional information about the webinar, including registration details, is available on the NCAE website at ncaeonline.org. To claim SHRM credit or for more information about the webinar or to register, please contact Susan Lester, NCAE’s Director of External Affairs and Operations.

About NCAE

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

 

Download Article