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NCAE, Ag Community Share Support for Secretary Sonderling’s Nomination to Secretary of Labor

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NCAE, Ag Community Share Support for Secretary Sonderling’s Nomination to Secretary of Labor

The National Council of Agricultural Employers (NCAE) announced its strong support for the nomination of Keith E. Sonderling to serve as the permanent Secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). Leading a broad, nationwide coalition of ag stakeholders, NCAE transmitted a joint support letter to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) ahead of Thursday’s highly anticipated confirmation hearing, urging his swift approval. 

“American agriculture simply cannot function without a reliable, legal, and stable workforce,” explained John Hollay, NCAE’s President and CEO. “Our farmers, ranchers, growers, and producers deserve a Secretary of Labor who understands the critical importance of American agriculture and the operational realities of running a farm. Throughout his time at the Department, Secretary Sonderling has proven that he listens to agricultural employers, values compliance and education, and understands what it takes to help American agriculture thrive. As leaders of American Agriculture  from across the nation, we urge Chairman Cassidy, Ranking Member Sanders, and the entire U.S. Senate to swiftly confirm Secretary Sonderling so he can continue this vital work at full steam.” 

Currently serving as Acting Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Labor, Sonderling brings extensive federal regulatory experience to the role. His extensive record includes past service as Acting and Deputy Administrator of the DOL’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), as well as a Commissioner and Vice Chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). During his time leading WHD, Sonderling had direct experience navigating the complexities of H-2A enforcement, the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act (MSPA), and the compliance burdens agricultural employers face.

As Deputy and now Acting Secretary, Sonderling has consistently prioritized regulatory relief for America’s agricultural employers. Notably, he ensured the Department release a critical interim final rule, Adverse Effect Wage Rate Methodology for the Temporary Employment of H-2A Nonimmigrants in Non-Range Occupations in the United States, 90 Fed. Reg. 47,914 (Oct. 2, 2025), to rein-in inflating wage requirements that were detached from economic reality. He has also overseen a proposed joint employer rule to provide agricultural employers, labor contractors, and farm labor associations with a single, predictable, and nationwide standard. 

NCAE’s stakeholder letter underscores that the H-2A program remains the primary lawful channel for meeting critical agricultural labor demands. The broad agricultural coalition signing onto the letter represents dozens of major national and regional organizations. As the Senate HELP Committee prepares to review Secretary Sonderling’s nomination, the agricultural community stands united behind him as a nominee who possesses direct experience with H-2A enforcement, the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act, and the heavy compliance burdens facing America’s agricultural businesses. 

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

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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.

 

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Jeanne Malitz to Serve as Secretary of NCAE Executive Committee

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Jeanne Malitz to Serve as Secretary of NCAE Executive Committee

Arlington, VA – Tuesday, April 21, 2026

The National Council of Agricultural Employers (NCAE) is pleased to announce the election of Jeanne Malitz to its Executive Committee, where she will serve in the critical leadership role of Secretary. She brings a deep understanding of the agricultural workforce landscape and a wealth of legal expertise to NCAE’s Executive Committee. In her role as Secretary, Malitz will help guide the strategic direction of the NCAE as it continues to advocate on behalf of agricultural employers across the United States.

“We are thrilled to welcome Jeanne to the Executive Committee leadership team,” said John Hollay, NCAE’s President & CEO. “Her unwavering commitment to the agricultural community and deep knowledge of the intricacies of agricultural workforce issues make her an invaluable asset to NCAE. Jeanne’s perspective will be vital as we continue to champion policies that support agricultural employers and ensure a stable, legal workforce for American agriculture.”

Joel Anderson, Chairman of the Executive Committee and owner of Anderson Immigration Law, emphasized the strength Malitz adds to the committee’s leadership. “Jeanne’s stellar reputation in the agricultural workforce community precedes her,” Anderson stated. “Having her step into the role of Secretary strengthens our committee’s ability to navigate the complex regulatory and operational challenges facing the agricultural community today. We look forward to working closely with her to advance our shared goals.”

“I am deeply honored,” said Malitz, “to be elected as the incoming Secretary of the National Council for Agricultural Employers. Over the past two decades, I have been closely involved with NCAE and have seen firsthand the organization’s growth and significant influence on agricultural policy. I look forward to serving alongside President John Hollay and the Executive Committee as we continue advancing NCAE’s mission and national leadership within agriculture.”

Malitz is the principal of MalitzLaw, Inc., a boutique law firm specializing in employment-based immigration matters. MalitzLaw, Inc. has a national presence representing employers on a wide variety of immigration-related matters with an emphasis on permanent labor certification and temporary labor certification for agricultural employers.

For more information about the National Council of Agricultural Employers and its leadership team, please visit NCAE’s website.

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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