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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
The U.S. Department of Labor announced plans to modernize and improve the existing H-2A agricultural visa program, which allows people from certain countries to enter the United States temporarily for on-farm jobs.
“We’re encouraged by the administration’s efforts to improve the H-2A system,” CFBF President Jamie Johansson said. “We continue to analyze the full proposal, but our initial reading shows that it would streamline certain aspects of the program and expand it to include additional forms of agriculture, such as reforestation work.”
More California farmers have begun using the H-2A program, he said, but added that it has generally not been flexible enough for many of the state’s crops and commodities.
“When we asked Farm Bureau members earlier this year to tell us how they are addressing employee shortages, only 6 percent of the farmers who responded to our survey said they were using H-2A,” Johansson said. “Changes proposed by the administration may increase that proportion, but farmers also need wider improvement to immigration laws that can only be addressed through congressional action.”
Farm Bureau and other organizations continue working with members of Congress on solutions that would provide legal status to current farm employees in the U.S. while further enhancing the agricultural visa program to include a portability mechanism.
“Ultimately, immigration laws need to accommodate employees and their immediate family members who are in the country now, plus allow future employees to enter the U.S. and move from farm to farm for employment,” Johansson said. “We will continue to pursue that goal with Congress and the administration. H-2A reform is only one piece of the puzzle.”
The California Farm Bureau Federation works to protect family farms and ranches on behalf of nearly 36,000 members statewide and as part of a nationwide network of nearly 5.6 million Farm Bureau members.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
Sealed bids will be opened at the Mendocino National Forest Supervisor’s office at 825 N. Humboldt Ave., Willows on Monday, July 22, at 10 a.m.
The Bartlett sale area is located seven miles east of Upper Lake on the Upper Lake
Ranger District.
Complete information concerning the timber, the conditions of sale and submission of bids is available to the public from the Mendocino National Forest Supervisors Office, 825 N. Humboldt Ave., Willows and on the forest Web site at the bottom of the resource management webpage.
Interested individuals may contact Forester Jason Cushman for more information at 530-828-0230.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
The market is hosted by the “Two Sisters” store, located at 3970 Main St. from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Vendors usually include Edenberry Farms berries, baskets, crocheted bunnies and scarves, soy candles, succulents, starter veggie and flower plants, and produce as it becomes available.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
This bill directs the Consumer Product Safety Commission to establish a standard requiring Flame Mitigation Devices to be used to prevent fire accidents.
“My constituent, Margrett Lewis, came to me with her family’s story highlighting the dangers of fuel containers and I knew it was time for Congress to come up with a solution to prevent these tragic and deadly fires,” said Thompson. “This bipartisan bill will help keep people safe from preventable fires by implementing a standard for Flame Mitigation Devices. I will continue fighting to pass this bill in honor of Margrett, her family and the many families like hers.”
H.R. 806, the Portable Fuel Container Safety Act now advances to the full Committee on Energy and Commerce for consideration.
Under current standards, flammable or combustible liquids can ignite within their containers causing more than 160,000 fires, injuring nearly 4,000 people, and killing 454 each year.
Flame arrestors can help prevent these types of accidents, but currently there is no requirement for them to be used for the consumer containers found in most homes and for everyday use.
Thompson’s bill would establish safety standards to help prevent these tragic accidents.
The legislation is endorsed by the American Burn Association, the Congressional Fire Services Institute, the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the International Association of Fire Fighters, the National Association of State Fire Marshalls, the National Volunteer Fire Council, the National Fire Protection Association, and the Phoenix Society of Burn Survivors.