Multi-State Coalition Presses USDA for Clarity on Farmworker Wage Rates
The North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association (NCNLA) has joined a multi-state coalition assembled by the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) and North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission (NCSC) consisting of more than 30 additional agricultural organizations – including five states, two national organizations, and a diverse range of crop producer associations and advocacy groups – to file a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request with the USDA. The purpose of the request is to obtain detailed information regarding how the USDA calculates the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR), which determines minimum wages under the H-2A agricultural guest-worker program.
The coalition warns that the USDA’s current AEWR methodology contributes to a self-compounding wage inflation cycle, undermining the economic viability of U.S. agriculture. This poses growing risks to national food security, increases American dependence on imported food, and threatens the stability of rural communities across the country.
Gary Whitehurst, NCNLA Legislative Committee Chair, believes “The sustainability issues in the H-2A program, particularly those surrounding the AEWR calculation, have been a long-time source of concern for the nursery industry. Given the unknown nature of the calculation, many of our members question their very business models and long-term survival. The lack of transparency by the federal government on the method of calculation is especially troublesome. In order for our members and legislative representatives to quickly come to an equitable and long-term resolution we need to understand the calculation. This issue has reached a tipping point that can only be described as an existential threat to agriculture businesses. As an industry, we strongly voice the need for action now without delay.”
Additionally, forthcoming research by Dr. Blake Brown, Hugh C. Kiger Professor Emeritus at North Carolina State University, indicates that the AEWR calculations have deleterious consequences for farmers, consumers, and American workers.
“The North Carolina Nursery and Landscape Association strongly supports our members and fully supports this filing,” says Katie Bennett, Executive Vice President of the NCNLA. “Our active legislative committee is committed to creating a unified voice for our membership and advocating for fair and transparent wage processes for agricultural employers and their workers.”
Each participating organization is engaging its stakeholders, press contacts, and state congressional delegations to advocate for an accountable, fair, and economically sustainable wage-setting process that promotes the sustainability and future of American agriculture.
The coalition is encouraging organizations and stakeholders who are facing similar undue burdens from rapidly rising AEWR rates to consider sharing their experiences and concerns with local and state representatives. A unified understanding of the impact across agricultural sectors will help inform a more balanced and transparent wage-setting process, one that supports both the fair treatment of farmworkers and the continued viability of U.S. farms. Addressing this issue collaboratively is essential to sustaining rural economies, safeguarding national food security, and ensuring the long-term health of American agriculture.
*Dr. Brown’s work is funded by the NC Chamber & numerous grower organizations.
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