What to expect for the 2022 avian flu
As the COVID pandemic ebbs, another outbreak starts to flow into our bird populations. A highly pathogenic avian flu is spreading through commercial and backyard flocks. Identified in 24 states along the east coast and scattered in the mid-west, new rules are kicking in quickly to try and control the spread. Quarantine areas and restriction […]
Strangling the family farm or preventing a ‘great resignation’ of the agricultural world?
In what is quickly beginning to look like a nationwide trend, Oregon, Colorado, and New York have all recently made big decisions in overtime wage laws. Joining five other states, these territories spanning the U.S. are inching closer to providing time and a half to all farm workers clocking over 40 hours in a week. […]
Newly proposed FSMA water rule
A previous version of this blog had the incorrect dates for the comment period for the proposed water rule. Apologies for any inconvenience. The comment period has closed. You can read submitted comments to the FDA on the proposed rule here. The long-awaited FDA revised water rule has arrived! This proposed rule […]
Get your spot in Discovering Resilience and Guiding Resilience Today
Registration is now open for our 2021-2022 workshop lineup! Registration is now open! Get your spot in Discovering Resilience and Guiding Resilience for 2021-2022. Are you a farmer or rancher? Looking for the skills you need to resolve key legal vulnerabilities on your operation? Discovering Resilience empowers you with the knowledge and resources you need […]
The United States Supreme Court tips balance between CA farm workers’ rights to organize and private property.
On June 23rd, the United States Supreme Court shifted the balance of power between those organizing farm workers and those asserting private property rights. The case stems from a conflict involving the United Farm Workers (UFW) and two California ag operations – Cedar Point Nursery and Fowler Packing Company. UFW organizers came onto the property […]
Northwestern states adopt emergency rules to protect workers from heat-related injuries
Heat is no joke for those who work outside, and this summer’s heat wave has made it not just uncomfortable but downright dangerous. As estimated 119 people in Oregon and 87 people in Washington have died from heat-related causes during the extreme heat already. Farmworkers are some of the most affected workers, being outside in […]
Colorado passes Farmworker Bill of Rights
At the end of June, Colorado’s governor, Jared Polis, signed into law Senate Bill 87, knows as the Farmworker Bill of Rights. In a country where around 83% of farmworkers are Latino, 50% are undocumented and 10% are immigrants working with H-2A temporary visas, this Bill of Rights is not just about treating farmworkers better, […]
Backyard Farm pays out $337,000 of back wages
Can you imagine if you suddenly had to come up with $337,000 to pay back wages and fines? This is what one farm in Maine is facing. Although we aren’t privy to the details of what the farm knew about their legal obligations and when they knew it, we do know the United States Department […]
BIPOC farmers loan forgiveness program sits stalled in litigation
In March, Congress unveiled its American Rescue Plan Act, and along with many COVID-related relief programs was a promise to help redress America’s sordid history of discrimination, exploitation and slavery. This promise came in the form of the USDA’s $4 billion program to forgive outstanding loans to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. Since then, producers […]
Gleaning an Understanding of Employment Law and Food Security
With the growing season underway and food insecurity still high, many organizations and farms are looking at gleaning opportunities this summer. We wrote about some of the legal complications of volunteer labor in a previous newsletter article and just having “returned” (not really, everything’s still online!) from the International Gleaning Symposium, we wanted to spend […]