Tag: rollins

NCAE Applauds the Discontinuation of USDA’s Farm Labor Survey

| Press Release, Uncategorized

August 29, 2025

For Immediate Release

Contact: Michael Marsh, President and CEO
(202) 629-9320

NCAE Applauds the Discontinuation of USDA’s Farm Labor Survey

(Arlington, VA) A big week for America’s farm and ranch families has become even bigger. The National Council of Agricultural Employers (NCAE), its members, and the agricultural community nationwide are celebrating an announcement that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will give much-needed relief to America’s farmers and ranchers.

Earlier today, USDA released a public inspection notice that it intends to discontinue the historically misused Farm Labor Survey (FLS).

“For years,” explained Michael Marsh, NCAE’s President and CEO, “federal regulators forced America’s farm and ranch families to pay an escalating, imaginary wage. For years, NCAE and our members fought to have the Department put an end to misusing the FLS as a wage setting mechanism for H-2A workers.”

“Finally, we have an administration that listens and has the strength to act. We are grateful to Secretary Rollins and the leadership of USDA for doing what it takes to put America’s farmers and ranchers first.”

“This is an exciting announcement and opportunity for America’s rural community to bounce back from years of regulatory abuse. Discontinuing the FLS finally gives America’s farmers and ranchers a real chance to be competitive with foreign competitors. We look forward to working with Secretary Rollins and the leaders at USDA to learn what this change will mean for America’s farm and ranch families.”  

USDA’s notice comes days after a federal court in Louisiana vacated the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) 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 FLS for establishing wage rates.

The DOL’s misuse of the Farm Labor Survey results has allowed wages paid to foreign farmworkers under the H-2A program to forfeit U.S. food production to our foreign competition. This means these workers are paid far more than new recruits into our Armed Services. Equally maddening, the misuse of the FLS escalates wage rates at a pace significantly higher than cost of living adjustments for American retirees collecting their Social Security benefits.

“We are hopeful,” noted Marsh, “that this discontinuation, in conjunction with the Louisiana decision and DOL’s subsequent announcement, will mean, finally, that the market will be allowed to determine wage rates rather than a wrong-headed bureaucratic mandate.  Markets work if the government will let them.”

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

 

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NCAE Urges USDA to Investigate Undisbursed Funds to Farmers

| Press Release, Uncategorized

March 27, 2025

For Immediate Release

Contact:       Michael Marsh, President and CEO

                        (202) 629-9320

NCAE Urges USDA to Investigate Undisbursed Funds to Farmers

(Arlington, VA)

In a letter addressed to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, the National Council of Agricultural Employers (NCAE) urges Secretary Rollins to investigate an unexplained halt in disbursement of federal grant funds previously allocated and awarded to farmers to help address critical labor shortages and reduce irregular migration.  

Last year, USDA’s Farm Labor Stabilization and Protection Pilot Grant Program (FLSP) awarded $50 million in federal grant funding to 141 awardees in 40 states and Puerto Rico, reaching 177 agricultural operations throughout the U.S. On its website, USDA describes the FLSP as a way to help address labor shortages, mitigate costs associated with the H-2A temporary seasonal visa program, and reduce irregular migration from Northern Central American countries.

In the letter, NCAE shares that FLSP participants report they stopped receiving reimbursements in January or failed to receive any reimbursement. NCAE explains that recipients report being “out-of-pocket for hundreds of thousands of dollars,” adding that some are reportedly borrowing money and on the edge of bankruptcy. NCAE also relayed that, despite repeated attempts, participants report they have not received clarity from USDA on the status of the FLSP funding, and when or whether they will be reimbursed for incurred or future expenses.

“America’s farmers and ranchers who engaged in the FLSP program did so in good faith and with the understanding that USDA would uphold their end of the commitment,” stated Michael Marsh, NCAE’s President and CEO. “Particularly at a time when margins on America’s family farms and ranches are increasingly thin, we are deeply troubled by reports that farmers and ranchers have not received reimbursements for the significant costs incurred as part of their participation in USDA’s Program.”

“While we know,” added Marsh, “it is not USDA’s intent to further strain America’s agricultural community which is already burdened by of several years of regulatory overreach, rising labor and input costs, and unfair foreign competition, USDA’s lack of communication about the status of the FLSP funds is doing just that.”

“We hope that Secretary Rollins and her team will investigate this thoroughly and communicate with recipients promptly so they can get back to doing the work they do best—growing food, fiber and fuel to feed, clothe and power the world.”

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

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