Link to original article on KMA Radio

Link to article on Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network

By Riley Smith

In late September, the U.S. Department of Labor announced it was lowering the H-2A Adverse Effect Wage Rate, better known as AEWR. If the interim rule is adopted, it means rates will drop around $1.80 an hour in Idaho, $2.10 in Oregon, and nearly $2.50 an hour in Washington, and will go lower in other states as well. Enrique Gastelum, CEO of the Worker and Farmer Labor Association, said these proposed changes are far from a “silver bullet,” but he feels this will help farmers and perhaps allow workers to make more.

The changes to the H-2A program, such as these proposals, are a big piece of the puzzle of what a legal workforce looks like going forward. While these AEWR changes are proposals, Gastelum said he believes the Trump administration will do something.

Gastelum added that these proposed changes to H-2A may make the program more palatable for growers and producers across the country.